Don’t Forget to Remember the Recall

This may seem obvious, but better safe than sorry. The FDA’s peanut butter recall, which you may have heard about last week, applies to our animals, too. It traced sources of Salmonella contamination to a plant owned by Peanut Corporation of America (PCA). Please discontinue offering your pets any peanut butter products until further notice.

In case you’re wondering if pets even consume peanut products, “Peanut butter is often used in small amounts as an occasional reward for dogs, commonly used in treats and activity toys” said Dr. Pam Reid, Vice President of the ASPCA Animal Behavior Center.

If you want more info, here’s our press release, which details Salmonella and how it affects pets—and consequentially, their humans.

Yikes, Gotta Get Home to Feed My FooPet!

If you want more pets but don’t have the room, go virtual! You may already be one of the million-plus social networkers using Pokey, FooMojo, Inc.’s application on Facebook and MySpace. Your 3D Pokey puppies and kittens already eat, play, grow, learn tricks, develop personalities and have a real life cycle affected by your care and feeding patterns. Now, FooMojo Inc. has taken “Pokey” to the next level with FooPets—your FooPet companion will require scheduled medicines, flea treatments, immunizations against common ailments and more! Warning: the experience is so lifelike you may find yourself waking up at midnight in a panic because you forgot to feed your virtual pet.

As FooPets promote animal safety and health, as well as owner responsibility, a partnership between FooMojo and the ASPCA is a perfect fit. We’re honored that FooMojo has donated $20,000 to the ASPCA and provides incentives for FooPets community members to give to us.

Go to foopets.com to be notified when the new application becomes available.

Pssst…We’re Calling In a Favor

You can win us 100 bucks with one click! Not bad, huh? If you concur that the ASPCA deserves to win best MySpace nonprofit of 2008, then please vote for us! Just visit Nonprofit Organizations on MySpace and cast your vote for the ASPCA in the poll on the left!



The winning nonprofit organization will receive a $100 donation in January, and its logo and link posted on the Nonprofit Organizations MySpace page throughout 2009. We were already featured as Nonprofit of the Month on this site, but—what can we say, we’re greedy—now we want the title for the year!

*Cough Cough tellyourfriendstovotetoo Cough Cough*

Waterworks Warning!

We just released a new commercial featuring Sarah McLachlan, musician extraordinaire and champion of the ASPCA. To bring attention to abused and abandoned animals this holiday season, McLachlan delivers a hauntingly beautiful rendition of the classic carol “Silent Night.” If you haven’t seen it on the tube yet, no problem. You can view it right here

It’s very emotional. We don’t mean to make you cry. Well, we sorta do. After all, it’s for the sake of the animals featured and all the rest out there who need our help.

We hope you’ll share this with your friends and family and spread the word about saving victims of animal cruelty who don’t have a voice. Please donate today and become an ASPCA Guardian.
What do you think of the video? Leave us a comment on the blog and let us know!

‘Tis the Season for Candy—Eye Candy!

Since your friends and co-workers always peek at your computer desktop, why not give them something to look at? We’ve got adorable free desktop wallpaper for you to download, featuring cute animals—of course—with priceless quirks like “You get the yule, I’ve got the drool” and “Winter is purrfect for snuggling.” Choose from a selection of nine wallpapers, all available in three different sizes.




Download our free ASPCA wallpaper now and let everyone know you care about animals. Happy December!

There’s No Easier Way to Help the “A”

For an ultra efficient—and critter friendly—search engine, switch to Dogpile.com. Dogpile uses a metasearch to yield the best results from all the top search engines (yes, including Google). While that’s reason enough to use it, the shining star here is that the ASPCA gets a donation from Dogpile with every single solitary click! So search, people, search! Search your hearts out!

The more you search, the more Dogpile can donate to our ultimate goal of raising $1 million by the end of 2009. So please make Dogpile your homepage. Download the toolbar, download the Facebook app—and spread the word!



Still not convinced? When you enter a search term, Dogpile “fetches” your results. If you’re anything like us, you’ll still be chuckling at this when you do your hundredth search.

Happy One-Year Birthday, ASPCA Online Community!

A year ago, we launched our very own social network in response to requests from our members, who asked to be able to post pictures and videos, and to make groups for other animals besides cats and dogs. Now, 12 months and 14,000 members later, we talk about every critter you can think of!

Post photo albums of your pets on the ASPCA Online Community!

Here is an overview of the ASPCA Online Community’s coolest features:

• Frequent live chats with ASPCA experts; join us this Friday, October 10, for a dog health chat with Dr. Miranda Spindel.


• Participate in discussion forums. With these enhanced forums, you can add photos and videos to your posts.


• Create your own profile—you can upload your photos and videos, and get comments on them.


• Personalize your page.


• Send and receive friend requests to connect with other community members.


• Celebrate your favorite animals with those who share your affection by joining groups such as Reptile Room and That’s Fishy! You can even create groups of your own.


• Keep your very own blog!


• Comment on other people’s pages and receive comments on yours!


• Track your activity—and your friends’ activity, too.

So, come wish us a happy birthday and join the ASPCA Online Community! Send a friend request to Elyse, community rep for the ASPCA...see you there!

Caption Contest!

Every week we’re going to feature a photo of an animal from the ASPCA Adoption Center. To enter your caption in the contest, just send it as a comment and include your name! The winner will be posted the next week with a new photo. This is a friendly contest, so the prize will be simple bragging rights.

So, what can you come up with for this adorable pic?

COLIN

Example: “Whoops! What happened to the ground? It was just there a minute ago..."

Send us your captions and have fun!!

UPDATE: Winning entry from Leigh-Ann

"Hey mom, you're embarrassing me...put me DOWN!"

Honorable mentions

From Destiny Is Yours (avatar) on MySpace:

Before the pic.....How big are you?? How Big? Colin, show me how big you are....Colin says, "I am thhhhhhhiiiissss big!!!"

From Bre on MySpace:

"Do I look fat in this fur?"

ASPCA Dog of the Year And Other Humane Awards

Thanks to your nominations, eight spectacular humans and animals have been selected as the 2008 ASPCA Humane Award winners.

“The Humane Awards Luncheon honors those who have gone above and beyond for animal welfare and animal heroes who have dedicated their lives to help others,” says ASPCA President and CEO Ed Sayres. “It’s a wonderful event that celebrates the important role companion animals play in our lives.”

Let’s give it up for the winners! They are…

ASPCA Dog of the Year
You will never see Cole Massie, a 10-year-old boy from Los Angeles, CA, without Ilia, his furry sidekick. Cole has cerebral palsy, and Ilia, a five-year-old black Lab/golden retriever mix, is always by his side. Ilia is also one of thousands of service dogs who support people with special needs. In order to break away from being wheelchair-dependent, Cole underwent surgery in July 2008 so he would be able to walk without assistance. Ilia travelled over 7,000 miles on six planes to be by Cole's side for surgery. He supported Cole through medical treatments and physical therapy, and he encouraged the boy throughout his road to recovery. These days, Cole is able to use his entire foot, and Ilia is still by his side, walking alongside him.

ASPCA Cat of the Year
Libby, a ten-year-old tabby, was a dog’s best friend. She served as a guide cat to Terry and Deb Burns’ senior yellow Lab/shar pei mix, Cashew, who was blind and deaf. Libby helped her canine companion accomplish daily tasks, steered Cashew away from bumping into obstacles and patiently guided the blind dog to her food. The two were inseparable; Libby even slept next to Cashew at night. The only time they were apart was when Terry took Cashew for a walk. Unfortunately, Cashew passed away several years ago and to this day, Libby misses her canine companion. Libby was a true friend and hero to Cashew, and their deep-rooted friendship shows that animals of different species can understand and help each other overcome hurdles.

ASPCA Firefighter of the Year
On July 17, 2008, Adam Deem, a firefighter with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, was working the burned area from the Moon fire in Northern California, one of 158 fires started by lightning. While Deem was monitoring the trail, he noticed a six-month-old bear cub crying for his mother. The cub suffered serious burns to all four paws, and his fur was singed from the fire. With the mother nowhere to be found, Deem wrapped the frightened and injured bear in his firefighter’s jacket and took him to the Fire Incident Command Center. From there the cub, named Li'l Smokey, was treated for dehydration and sent to Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care, where he is recuperating.

ASPCA “Tommy Monahan” Kid of the Year
Mimi Ausland, a 12-year-old girl from Bend, OR, wanted to do more than just volunteer at her local animal shelter. After four months of careful planning, hard work and support from her parents, Mimi launched Freekibble.com in April 2008. Mimi’s primary mission is to provide food to dogs and cats at the Humane Society of Central Oregon. She made it fun for people to help contribute to her cause through playing a trivia game on her website. Since April 1, 2008, Mimi has donated more than 47 million pieces of kibble, which would feed approximately 1,900 dogs and 2,300 cats every day for a month. Mimi's program is now feeding animals at a total of eight shelters across the country.

This award is dedicated to Tommy Monahan, a nine-year-old Staten Island boy who perished last year trying to save his dog from a house fire.

ASPCA Law Enforcement Officer of the Year
Diane Balkin is Chief Deputy District Attorney for the City and County of Denver and has worked in the District Attorney’s office since 1979. For nearly 30 years, Balkin has been an advocate for humans and animals, working tirelessly to send a message that animal abuse will not be tolerated. While she has prosecuted all types of felonies, such as sexual assault, homicide and aggravated robbery, her passion is to promote animal welfare by prosecuting those who neglect or abuse animals.

Over the past year, Balkin successfully prosecuted a South Dakota dog breeder for cruelty to animals and saved 19 of his horribly neglected puppies who were left unattended in a truck. In another cruelty case, she prosecuted a Denver man who killed a Chihuahua with a shovel and then threw the pet's lifeless body in a dumpster. Both defendants were found guilty, and in the Chihuahua case, the defendant was sentenced to six years in prison.

Balkin, a member of the Colorado State Board of Veterinary Medicine, speaks at conferences nationwide about animal cruelty prosecutions and trains veterinarians, law enforcement officials, students and citizens about the link between cruelty to animals and violence toward humans. She has been instrumental in changing Colorado laws to facilitate the prosecution of animal abusers, and her commitment and steadfast determination to raise awareness about animal cruelty have made an immense impact in Colorado, as well as nationwide.

ASPCA Henry Bergh Award
Dr. Phil Bushby, a board certified veterinary surgeon, is no stranger to the ASPCA. Thirty-six years ago, Dr. Bushby started his career as an intern and surgical resident at the ASPCA’s Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital in New York City. For the last three decades, he has been on the faculty at Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine, where he currently serves as Service Chief with a focus on spay/neuter programs. He also holds the Marcia P. Lane Endowed Professorship of Humane Ethics and Animal Welfare and is a board member of MS-SPAN (Mississippi Spay and Neuter), an ASPCA Mission: Orange partner agency in Gulfport-Biloxi.

Bushby was an integral member of the Veterinary Shelter and Neuter Task Force and Shelter Residency Standards Task Force (organized by the ASPCA and PetSmart Charities). He spearheaded the MSU Disaster Response projects during Hurricane Katrina, and is on the road four days each week, taking students to eight Mississippi shelters to provide them with spay/neuter and shelter medicine experience. He recently traveled to Turkey to speak on spay/neuter issues.

Bushby’s goal is to expose veterinary students to shelters across Mississippi, educate them about the problem of pet overpopulation, and help them find ways to play a role in the solution. He is a graduate of the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine.

ASPCA Presidential Service Award
There’s no mission that’s impossible for Stache, a four-year-old black Lab. Stache and his handler, Jim McCans, have been involved in nearly two dozen searches, including a trip to Mississippi to find a Hurricane Katrina victim, and solving a missing persons case in Philadelphia. Within the last year, Stache and Jim were asked to provide assistance in Iraq, where they faced their biggest challenge—to search for missing American service men and women. Stache and Jim found nine separate recoveries, but not before a close brush with death when an IED (Improvised Explosive Device) exploded in their path in Owesat, Iraq. The blast left Stache with temporary hearing loss, but he has since recovered and returned to the states. Stache hasn’t forgotten the soldiers who befriended him during his stint in Iraq; he recently visited two soldiers who were severely injured from the same blast at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C.

ASPCA Lifetime Achievement Award
Mamdouha S. Bobst is a humanitarian, a philanthropist and animal advocate who has dedicated her life to helping others in need. She and her late husband, Elmer Holmes Bobst, are important supporters of health research and university centers both in the United States and in Lebanon.

Her generosity is not limited to humans, however. Bobst has donated funds to support the Animal Medical Center, where she founded the Mamdouha Bobst Hospital in New York City. The veterinary hospital treats more than 30,000 animals annually and offers routine care, emergency services and treatment for pets suffering from unusual or complex diseases. Bobst has also been an ASPCA supporter for several years and, with her late husband, helped finance the renovation of the ASPCA Adoption Center in Manhattan. In 2006, the renovation was completed, and today the building’s front lobby is named after them. Needless to say, Bobst’s contributions have saved countless numbers of animals in need.

Today Is World Rabies Day

What have you done to help fight rabies lately? If the answer is "nothing," no need to look sheepish and lower your head to the floor. Today, September 28, is a special day dedicated to the prevention of this harmful disease. So now you can ask yourself, "What will I do on World Rabies Day?"

Here's how to get involved. The most important thing you can do is vaccinate your pet, and if you've already done so, make sure your friends do it, too.

Dr. Louise Murray, ASPCA Director of Medicine, weighs in: "It's essential that pet parents ensure their pets are protected from rabies; this fatal disease is completely preventable with proper vaccination. Together, we can all work to eradicate rabies, a devastating disease affecting both humans and animals across the globe."

In short, vaccinate, vaccinate, vaccinate!

Visit the website of World Rabies Day for more information.

Update From the ASPCA Disaster Response Team: $75K in Grants

We at the ASPCA have dispersed and pledged more than $75,000 in grant funding to organizations in Texas and Louisiana following Hurricanes Ike and Gustav, in addition to deploying a team of disaster response experts to assist both states. The grant funding covers recovery costs, as well as transportation assistance, distribution of food and supplies, and other needs.

“Thanks to the kindness and generosity of our supporters, the ASPCA is able to offer grants and emergency funds to assist organization affected by both Hurricanes Ike and Gustav,” said ASPCA President and CEO Ed Sayres. “Over the years, these organizations have shown exceptional commitment and dedication the animals in their care, and we are happy to be able to provide assistance during their time of need.”

These two photos depict damages to Denham Springs Animal Shelter, LA, caused by Hurricane Gustav. This shelter is one of many to receive an emergency grant from the ASPCA to repair damaged kennels and once again provide a safe haven for Louisiana’s animals.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Ike, the ASPCA has already pledged more than $25,000 in pre-assessment grants to the following organizations:

• Animal Aid of Vermillion Parish, LA, for recovery and supplies
  
• Walter Ernst Foundation of the Louisiana Veterinary Medical Association, for equine hay drops in southwest Louisiana


• Habitat for Horses Inc. in Hitchcock, TX, for emergency hay after destruction of a new barn and sheds, and for 60 horses on site and another 300 in foster care across several states


• Hopeful Haven Equine Rescue Organization in Shreveport, LA, for assistance with removal of hoof stock from flooded areas in Vermillion Parish, as well as hay

The ASPCA is working closely with the Texas State Animal Resource Team (TXSART) and other credentialed animal care agencies to assist and provide resources. ASPCA disaster team members are stationed at the Area Command Center at the Texas Animal Health Commission in Austin, TX, and are currently providing assessments in Liberty County, just north of Galveston, one of the hardest-hit areas.

In addition to its current efforts following Hurricane Ike, the ASPCA distributed $50,000 to the following agencies following Hurricane Gustav, as well as deploying staffing and equipment, to assist animal welfare organizations on the ground. Agencies receiving emergency grants following Hurricane Gustav included:

• Wild Animal Orphanage, San Antonio, TXs, for transport assistance


• Louisiana SPCA, New Orleans, for food and supplies provided for shelter animals as well as pets of evacuees in the surrounding community


• Greater Birmingham Humane Society, Birmingham, AL, for reimbursement and assistance with gathering and transporting supplies


• Plaquemines Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), Plaquemines Parish, LA, for crates and supplies to relocate animals and restock


• Animal Rescue New Orleans for recovery, and kennel and food distribution to lower parishes


• Humane Society of Louisiana, New Orleans, for assistance and assessments throughout Southeast Louisiana


• Denham Springs Animal Shelter, Denham Springs, LA, for recovery and kennel damage repair

For more details on the actions of the ASPCA Disaster Response team, check out our website’s pressroom.

Kitty Counterparts: Ellen and Portia

Recently, as part of a wedding gift basket for animal lover/ASPCA supporter Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi, we included a photograph of two adoptable kittens we named after the couple. Ellen received the gift basket, and will be featuring the photograph of her kitty counterparts on her talk show tomorrow. She'll give an update on whether the kittens have been adopted (take a wild guess!), and she will discuss the importance of adoption.

To see the kitties, tune in to The Ellen DeGeneres Show on NBC tomorrow, September 17, at 3:00 P.M. EST. Find out when the show is airing in your area!

"Ellen has been a great friend to both animals and the ASPCA. We are thrilled about her recent wedding and wanted to help celebrate in the only way we knew how--help save more animals!" says Jo Sullivan, ASPCA Senior Vice President, Development and Communications, who recently appeared on Ellen's show for an episode that promoted animal adoption.

Check out photos from Ellen and Portia's wedding! The first pic on this page features two canines-appropriately dressed in black and white, of course.

Psst...Getting married? See today's entry on how you can make the ASPCA part of your wedding!

Ike Update: ASPCA Disaster Response Team Travels To Texas

We have deployed a team of disaster response experts to assist Texas in dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Ike. Our amazing team includes a veterinarian, veterinary technicians, disaster responders and sheltering professionals.

“We are working closely with the Texas State Animal Resource Team (TXSART) and other credentialed animal care agencies to assist and provide resources,” said Sandy Monterose, the ASPCA’s Senior Director of Community Outreach. “Early tomorrow, we expect our team to be assigned a specific task, which could be animal sheltering, field rescues or field assessments.” Members of the ASPCA disaster response team arrived at the Area Command Center at the Texas Animal Health Commission in Austin, Texas on Monday, September 15. An ASPCA disaster response trailer, being driven from Gulfport, Miss. by ASPCA disaster team staff, is expected to arrive in Beaumont, TX, an incident command center, on Wednesday.

“We are pleased to be able to lend our assistance again, both in terms of human resources and equipment, in relief efforts for Hurricane Ike, especially so closely on the heels of Hurricane Gustav,” said ASPCA President and CEO Ed Sayres. “By using our resources strategically and making key connections at the local levels, the ASPCA’s Disaster Response team is able to effectively respond to shelters and animals in need.”

For more information, see our press release.

Baby, They Were Born to Jump

One of the biggest and best show jumping competitions in the country, the 32nd Annual Hampton Classic Horse Show was held in Bridgehampton, NY, earlier this month. As a proud sponsor of the show, the ASPCA was there all week to share animal welfare expertise. On hand to meet and greet were Supervisory Special Investigator Annemarie Lucas and animal behaviorist Victoria Wells, both of whom are featured regularly on the hit TV series Animal Precinct.

The Hampton Classic regularly draws many of the world’s top horses and riders, including Olympic, World Cup and World Championship veterans.

The Boss himself, Bruce Springsteen, and his wife, Patti Scialfa, came to our table to sign a paper horse! (We're never going to wash that horse again.)

ASPCA staffers like Melissa Treuman, Grassroots Manager, volunteered at the event. "The Hampton Classic was a great opportunity to bring the ASPCA's mission of fighting animal cruelty to the horse-loving public. At the end of the day, I'm not sure what was more of a thrill: the stunning horses, the adorable puppies or meeting Bruce Springsteen!"

P.S. Read all about a Sopranos star's involvement with the ASPCA at the Hampton Classic!

Getting Married? Say "I Do" To Making a Difference for Animals

From exchanging environmentally responsible rings to sending out invitations made with recycled paper, many couples are tying values with vows and throwing wedding celebrations that truly make a difference. And while giving to charity through your wedding is a relatively recent trend, it’s one that's catching on fast. The ASPCA recently launched the ASPCA Wedding Pages, complete with photo albums, a guest book, and a link that asks guests to donate to your personal page in lieu of a present. We even provide a short URL that’s easy to remember, and an email tool for inviting friends and family to visit your wedding page.

And what about wedding favors, those often cliché token gifts that we’ve all received—and promptly discarded? Couples are now opting to bypass that tradition altogether and making a charitable donation on behalf of their guests instead. It’s a lot more meaningful than a bar of chocolate or heart-shaped frame, and will extend the impact of your gift beyond your guests to animals in need. We’ll provide elegant place cards with the ASPCA logo, letting your guests know you made a donation in their name. Please visit our website for more information—and best wishes for a beautiful day!

P.S. This will win you points with your single friends who dread lame weddings. They’ll be pleasantly surprised at how un-lame yours is! Who doesn’t like helping animals?

Live Chat All About the ASPCA -Tomorrow!

Tomorrow, Friday, September 12, please join ASPCA Executive Vice President and Science Advisor Dr. Stephen Zawistowski--we just call him Dr. Z!-- to discuss your questions about ASPCA history and the ongoing fight for the humane treatment of animals.

Join the chat group!

Place: ASPCA Online Community

Time: Noon to 2:00 PM, EST

*Order your copy of Dr. Z's book on the history of the ASPCA: Heritage of Care.

Hurricane Gustav Update: ASPCA Helps Care for Evacuated Animals

In its first day of pre-storm assistance on the Gulf Coast, the ASPCA helped care for 38 evacuated animals from St. John Parish Animal Shelter in La Place, La., which is now closed until after Hurricane Gustav. The 24 dogs and 14 cats from St. John Parish Animal Shelter were taken to the Louisiana SPCA in New Orleans, where they will join animals there for transport to shelters in Texas. In addition, the ASPCA coordinated a transfer of animals from Acadia Parish, where 23 dogs and cats will likely soon be on their way to the Wild Animal Orphanage in San Antonio, Texas.

Members of the ASPCA disaster response team are at the site of the Louisiana Mega Shelter in Shreveport, where more than 180 animals belonging to evacuees have arrived and are being cared for; homeless animals in shelters are being transferred to agencies outside of the areas at risk of the hurricane. One of the ASPCA’s disaster response trailers is also on site, and the ASPCA’s partner agency, the Saranac Technical Rescue Team, is en route.

Photos from the Louisiana Mega Shelter:

The ASPCA Disaster Response Trailer.

Checking in an evacuee's pet.

A Pug waiting out the storm at the Louisiana Mega Shelter.

Hurricane Gustav Update: ASPCA Disaster Response Team Arrives in Louisiana

Members of the ASPCA Disaster Response Team arrived at the site of the
Louisiana Mega Shelter in Shreveport, LA, on Friday, to assist the state of
Louisiana in pre- and post-storm evacuation and sheltering in anticipation
of Hurricane Gustav. One disaster response trailer, being driven by our
team members, arrived yesterday. We have also contacted our partner agency,
the Saranac Technical Rescue Team, to be on standby for post-storm
activity.

Our disaster response team of ten, which includes a veterinarian,
veterinary technicians, disaster responders and sheltering professionals,
were deployed at the request of the Louisiana State Animal Response Team
(LSART), which serves as the volunteer animal emergency response partner of
the Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry under ESF-11. Other
agencies assisting LSART’s efforts include United Animal Nations, Code 3,
American Humane Association, the Humane Society of the United States,
International Fund for Animal Welfare, Best Friends Animal Society, Noah’s
Wish and numerous other humane and disaster response groups.

We have been hearing from many of you, expressing concern about the
companion animals who will be affected by the storm. Please check in at our
website at www.aspca.org/gustav for updates about the ASPCA Disaster Response
Team's activities and ways that the public can help.

ASPCA Disaster Preparedness Update: Tropical Storm Gustav

The State of Louisiana has asked the ASPCA to assist in pre-storm evacuation and sheltering in advance of Tropical Storm Gustav. They are predicting that Gustav could become a Category 3 Hurricane and make landfall by Tuesday morning, September 2. The state has declared a pre-storm State of Emergency and would like a team of ASPCA responders to deploy to the site of their Mega Shelter in Shreveport, LA.


We have received numerous requests for assistance from local parish shelters and other animal welfare organizations in Louisiana. We will be working with Laura Lanza, ASPCA Southern Regional Manager, and the Louisiana State Animal Response Team to best determine how to assist and provide resources.


A team of responders and one Disaster Response trailer will be mobilizing and are expected to arrive in Shreveport, LA, by tomorrow, Friday, August 29. We have also contacted our partner agency, the Saranac Technical Rescue Team, and have asked them to be on standby for post-storm activity.

This Sunday, Get The Real Truth About The Michael Vick Case

“I want to apologize.”
“I take full responsibility for my actions.”
“Those things just didn’t have to happen.”

—Michael Vick, former football star sentenced to 23 months in federal prison on charges in connection with a dog fighting operation on his property in Virginia

The sentence may have been handed down, but the concern and questions still remain. What happened to the dogs seized in the case? How did Vick get involved in this underworld?

Many of these questions will be answered this Sunday night during “Animal Witness: The Michael Vick Case," the premiere episode of Animal Planet’s new series on animal forensics. The one-hour show offers an in-depth look at Vick and exposes the hidden world of dog fighting—and for the first time on national television, lead investigator Bill Brinkman talks about the inner workings of the case.

The episode will also feature interviews with Dr. Melinda Merck, ASPCA Forensic Veterinarian, and Officer Annemarie Lucas, Supervisory Special Investigator, ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement. As reported in ASPCA News Alert, the ASPCA worked closely with federal authorities at every step of the case, first assisting in forensic examinations and later leading behavior evaluations of the seized dogs.

“Animal Witness: The Michael Vick Case" airs at 10:00 P.M. EST this Sunday, August 24; please note, the episode does feature footage from underground dog fighting videos—viewer discretion is advised.

Rub-a-Tub Tabby Gets Evicted from Home!

Who’s that curvaceous creature doing the catwalk? It's 44-pound Powder, a rather shapely puss found wandering, homeless, on the patio of an apartment complex in Vorhees, NJ. No, Powder isn’t a victim of tough love for cats. He’s a victim of our country’s growing number of home foreclosures. His owner, a senior citizen who was forced to move in with friends after losing her home, was no longer able to take care of him—but sadly, he’s not the only pet who’s fallen victim to the changes in our economy. Stories of people who’ve felt forced to abandon their pets have been pouring in from around the country.

As Dr. Stephen Zawistowski, ASPCA Executive Vice President, recently told the Philadelphia Inquirer, “Sixty percent of American households have pets, and there are about 400,000 households in jeopardy of foreclosure. Some portion go to live with family and take pets with them, but some have no safety net. So that means some 250,000 to half a million pets are in danger."

In the case of Powder and his rotund bod, his eviction has turned into a brush with fame—even if it did cause some gender confusion. At first, everyone thought that she was a girl, and dubbed her Princess Chunk. Turns out under all those rolls, Powder had princely accoutrement! On Live With Regis and Kelly, one of the feline’s many TV appearances, a veterinarian confirmed that the ample puss was indeed male.

According to his foster mom, Deborah Wright, who accompanied Powder on his TV tour, this ball of cuteness is enjoying his sudden celeb status. He also may be headed for a happy ending soon. Hundreds of people have called the Camden County Animal Shelter, where he was originally brought, to ask about adopting the…er…little prince.

While Powder’s tale has caused some chuckles, it is important for us to mention how lucky this kitty is. Putting a house cat outdoors exposes him to dangers he’s not equipped to handle. And suddenly not eating can be a great shock to a kitty’s liver. Some cats who suddenly stop eating can develop a serious liver disease called feline hepatic lipidosis—especially ones who are used to being so generously treated! If you’re faced with the loss of your pet, please do not abandon him as there are other solutions. Read our advice for those facing foreclosure.

Save America’s Horses from Slaughter Overseas

Unfortunately, the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act (H.R. 503), the anti-slaughter bill we have advocated for in the past, has stalled in Congress due to political maneuvering. Similar to H.R. 503, the newly introduced Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act (H.R. 6598) would prohibit the possession, shipment, transport, purchase, sale, delivery or receipt via interstate commerce of any horse intended for slaughter for human consumption. Unlike the Horse Slaughter Prevention Act, this bill has the potential to move quickly in the House of Representatives.

Americans do not eat horse meat. However, tens of thousands of our horses are cruelly slaughtered every year to satisfy the markets for horsemeat in Europe and Asia. Since the last horse slaughter plants in the U.S. were closed in 2007, thousands of horses have been shipped to Canada and Mexico for slaughter. These overseas plants are not subject to U.S. oversight or regulation. Due to overcrowded transport conditions, many horses are injured even before reaching their final destination. Some are shipped for more than 24 hours at a time without food, water or rest, and the methods used to kill these horses once they arrive at the plant can be exceptionally inhumane.

Horses have been our trusted companions and are a historically significant part of American culture. They deserve a more dignified end to their lives than to be slaughtered and served for dinner. H.R. 6598 would put an end to this practice by prohibiting the transport of America’s horses to foreign countries for slaughter.

What You Can Do
Please visit the ASPCA Advocacy Center to email a letter to your representative now and urge him or her to support and cosponsor H.R. 6598!

Thank you for taking action for America's animals.

Miley Cyrus Kicks Off Event to Raise $$ for the ASPCA!

Central Park, New York City: Teen sensation Miley Cyrus joined hometown hero ASPCA Officer Annemarie Lucas and ASPCA spokesdog DaVinci on Friday to launch Bolt Across America—a coast-to-coast fundraising event to promote the Disney film Bolt, which stars Cyrus. Bolt Across America centers around four Bolt fans who will roll from city to city in a giant hamster ball attempting amazing feats and raising money for the ASPCA!

To learn more about the event and film, which opens this fall, visit www.disney.com/bolt.

Teen Arrested for Cruelty to Kitten

ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement agents have concluded an investigation into the severe injuries of a six-month-old kitten with the arrest of a 15-year-old girl, a neighbor of the kitten’s owner.

ASPCA Special Agent Debbie Koch responded to an anonymous complaint about a cat in an apartment building in the Brownsville neighborhood of Brooklyn on February 11, 2008, and found the kitten, named Tiger, on the premises. Koch rushed Tiger to the ASPCA's Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital (BMAH), where veterinarians treated her for a collapsed lung and a broken rib—wounds reportedly sustained from being thrown down a flight of stairs by the teen.

Tiger was relinquished to the ASPCA and completed her recovery in the ASPCA Adoption Center, where she was renamed Kitty and adopted on May 11. The 15-year-old arrestee—whose name cannot be released due to her juvenile status—faces unspecified charges.

“Abuse of animals by children or adolescents can be an indicator of family violence issues in the home,” says Dr. Randall Lockwood, ASPCA Senior Vice President, Anti-Cruelty Initiatives and Legislative Services. “It’s also a warning of a person’s potential for additional serious acts of violence when they get older. It is important to respond to these situations to ensure that these children and their families have a better chance of getting the services they need to prevent future violence.”

Have you witnessed cruelty to animals? Please report it to the proper authorities. In New York City, contact the ASPCA's anonymous tip line at (877) THE-ASPCA. To learn how to report cruelty elsewhere, visit our Report Cruelty section.

Major Dog Fighting Bust—ASPCA to the Rescue!

Late last week, the ASPCA joined the Humane Society of the United States and Madison County Animal Control in the morning raid of Shake Down Kennels, an alleged dog fighting operation in Danielsville, GA. Kennel owner Johnny Stewart Johnson, Jr. was charged with eight counts of felony dog fighting—one count for each of the seven pit bulls seized by the Madison County Sheriff’s Department, and an additional count of possessing dog fighting paraphernalia.

The ASPCA’s Senior Director of Veterinary Forensics, Dr. Melinda Merck, was on the ground in Georgia with our Mobile Animal Crime Scene Investigation Unit in order to examine and care for the dogs as well as gather and immediately process forensic evidence. “It was a privilege to be a part of this organized and thorough investigation,” says Merck, herself a Georgia resident. “Dog fighting cases are very complex, and it sometimes takes multiple resources in order to effectively bring them down."

The raid of Shake Down Kennels is Georgia’s first dog fighting bust since the May passage of legislation that strengthened the state’s dog fighting law, making it a felony to own, possess, train, transport or sell a dog for the purpose of fighting. Under the new law, Johnson, 28, could be fined $5,000 and face one to five years in prison on each of the eight felony counts against him.

For complete details, please read our latest press release. To learn more about dog fighting, visit ASPCA.org/dogfighting.

Two NYC Dog Owners Arrested For Animal Cruelty

ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement agents recently arrested two New York City men for unrelated incidents of animal neglect. Each man is charged with one count of misdemeanor animal cruelty and faces up to one year in jail and a $2,000 fine.

On June 19, ASPCA Special Agent Joseph Vais arrested Brooklyn resident Constantin Golie, 60. An anonymous tip led Agent Vais and another ASPCA officer to Golie’s basement, where they found Baba, a 12-year-old chow chow. Baba had no food or water, and she was suffering from severe matting and an ear infection. Baba was rushed to the ASPCA’s Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital (BMAH).

And on Monday, June 23, ASPCA Special Agent Debbie Koch arrested Bronx resident John Monserrate, 30. Monserrate brought his 10-week-old male pit bull, Trux, to BMAH in late April, and veterinarians saw that the pup was dehydrated and starving, and had multiple untreated wounds. He was taken into ASPCA custody and received lifesaving medical care.

“When Trux came in, he weighed 5.9 pounds,” says Dr. Robert Reisman, Medical Coordinator of Animal Cruelty Cases at BMAH. “After one month in our care, his weight increased to 16 pounds. That’s a 171-percent increase—more than double the typical 50- to 75-percent growth rate for a healthy puppy his age. This proves that Trux had been underfed, and I have no doubt that he was critically ill when he came to us.”

Both men voluntarily relinquished ownership of their dogs to the ASPCA, and shelter staffers anticipate that Baba and Trux will be made available for adoption in the near future.

She Had It All … And It Slipped Right Through Her Dainty Paws.

The late Leona Helmsley was known as “The Queen of Mean,” but you gotta hand it to her, she loved her animals. Helmsley was particularly devoted to her pampered Maltese, Trouble—to the tune of a $12 million inheritance! We’re sure that Trouble is a high-maintenance little lady, but still, a lot of people wondered: what on earth can one wee dog spend that much money on?

A Manhattan judge agrees, and in a recent ruling reduced nine-year-old Trouble’s trust fund down to $2 million—with the full blessing of her caretaker, Carl Lekic, the general manager of one of Helmsley’s Florida hotels. The extra $10 million will go into the multibillion-dollar Helmsley Foundation for charitable distribution.

“This was the first time so large an amount was left to a pet—and this latest ruling may not have been what Leona wanted, but there's no doubt in my mind that public comment had something to do with the reduction by the court of Trouble’s bequest,” says Kim Bressant Kibwe, ASPCA Trusts & Estates Counsel. “I think pet trusts are going to become more common, and they should be. A court will uphold a bequest that it deems to be reasonable, but it is up to the pet owner to obtain competent counsel who can draft instructions for care according to their wishes in such a way that won't raise questions by the court.”

As Lekic told the New York Post when the story broke, “Two million dollars … would be enough money to pay for Trouble's maintenance and welfare at the highest standards of care for more than 10 years, which is more than twice her reasonably anticipated life expectancy.”

P.S. Want to know more about creating a trust fund for your little princess? Read the pet planning information on our website.

ASPCA Dispatches Forensics Team to Assist in Record-Breaking Puppy Mill Raid

Fighting Cruelty Update: The ASPCA is presently assisting in Tennessee’s largest-ever puppy mill raid, lending our special forensic cruelty investigation team and Mobile Animal CSI Unit to assist in the collection of evidence.

The 747 animals discovered in the raid, which began last Wednesday, were housed in various enclosures among the property’s 92 acres of hilly and rocky terrain known as Pine Bluff Kennels in Lyles, TN. The farm’s owners could face criminal charges.

“This is by far one of the worst situations I have ever seen,” says the ASPCA’s Dr. Melinda Merck, the nation’s premier forensic veterinarian and animal CSI. “Animals are in extreme cases of neglect and illness, and some are dead. The overcrowding, unsanitary conditions, flea and parasite infestation, as well as the stress of competing for food and coping with untreated illnesses, are severe.”

Animals in critical condition were examined immediately on the ASPCA’s CSI unit. To learn more about the raid, please read our complete press release. And stay tuned to ASPCA News Alert, for continuing coverage of the situation.

Adopt an ASPCA Pet for Your Facebook Profile!

Bringing a cuddly babe into your life has never been easier, or more helpful! By adding our new Adopt an ASPCA Pet application, you can post photos of the dogs and cats in our adoption center to your Facebook profile, helping oodles of furry faces get major visibility. And by sending the photos as gifts to friends and family members, you'll help spread the word even more. Not only will you seriously cuten up your profile, but every photo you show off could help a kitty or pup find that special human they've been waiting for.

Update: USMC Disciplines Two Marines in Connection with Animal Cruelty Video

In early March, we reported the ASPCA’s official response to a video clip in which a member of the United States Military can be seen apparently committing a heinous act of animal cruelty.

We urged the United States Marine Corps to release the findings of its investigation involving the clip, and late last week it was announced that two Marines have been disciplined for their participation in the cruel killing of a puppy while stationed in Iraq. Lance Corporal David Motari and Sergeant Crismarvin Banez Encarnacion received Non-Judicial Punishments, the details of which are protected under the Privacy Act. Based in Hawaii with the 1st Battalion, 3d Marine Regiment, Lance Cpl. Motari will be discharged from the Corps for his role in the incident.

The Marine Corps Base Hawaii issued a statement last week denouncing the incident, claiming “the actions seen in the Internet video are contrary to the high standards we expect of every Marine and will not be tolerated.”

“The ASPCA has the highest respect for the brave and difficult task charged to the men and women stationed in Iraq,” says ASPCA President and CEO Ed Sayres. “But as a just and humane country, we must protect the rights of all those who are defenseless, including animals. We appreciate the Marine Corps' thorough investigation of this repugnant act."

Please join us in our mission to help all animals live happy and healthy lives by signing our pledge to fight animal cruelty.

Are You—And Your Pets—Prepared for Extreme Summer Weather?

With extreme weather and flooding gripping many parts of the country this week, the ASPCA wants to make sure you and your family—and that includes four-legged members—are prepared in the event of emergency. Following our simple tips can keep your clan safe—and together:

- If you receive storm warnings, bring your pets inside and make sure they have plenty of food and water.

- Arrange a safe haven for your pets in the event of evacuation—do NOT leave your pets behind. Many disaster shelters cannot accept pets because of health and safety regulations, so it is vital to determine where your pets can stay ahead of time.

- Keep emergency pet supplies, an ASPCA Pet Grab ’N Go Bag and travel kits handy—and make sure everyone in the family knows where they are kept.

- Post a Rescue Alert sticker, which is visible to rescue workers and includes vital information about your pets and veterinarian.

- Choose a designated caregiver who can take care of your pet in the event you have to evacuate or are otherwise unable.

For more emergency and evacuation preparedness suggestions, please visit www.aspca.org/pets_emergency.

Oprah's Puppy Mill Episode Is Airing Again!

When we last posted about The Oprah Winfrey Show puppy mill episode, we got a strong response from you guys. Happily, the show succeeded in reaching the masses. But if you didn't see it, you've got a second shot! This important episode will be shown again tomorrow, Thursday, May 29, 4:00 P.M. EST. Thanks to investigator Lisa Ling, who went undercover into a handful of Pennsylvania puppy mills, the April 4 episode revealed to millions of viewers the horrific abuses that go on in these large-scale breeding facilities.

Raising awareness is one of the most important ways to effect change, so please don’t miss your chance to see the realities of this cruel industry. For more information on what you can do, please read our Top Ten Ways to Help Fight Puppy Mills.

Foreclosures Can Be Bad News For Pets

Stories of families who have lost their homes and find themselves no longer able to keep their pets continue to pour in from around the United States. In New Haven, CT, where foreclosures have gone up 80 percent in the past year, local animal shelters receive an average of a call per day from someone who wants to surrender a pet. In Michigan, the Anti-Cruelty Society shelter has seen a 30-percent intake increase over the same period. And last week, the City of Los Angeles, CA, issued a press release revealing that LA Animal Service’s intake of pets rose 16 percent in the first four months of 2008.

California—arguably one the of states hit hardest by the subprime mortgage market collapse—is leading the way in the creation of new legislation that attempts to address this issue. The California State Legislature is now considering Assembly Bill 2949, which would allow bank representatives to immediately seek potentially life-saving help for animals abandoned at foreclosed properties. The bill was introduced by Assemblyman Mark DeSaulnier, and is cosponsored by the ASPCA and the California Animal Association.

“The ASPCA urges pet parents faced with foreclosure to bring their pets to a proper animal shelter if unable to place them with friends or family,” says Californian Jill Buckley, ASPCA Senior Director of Legislative Services. “With the increasing numbers of property abandonments, more and more animals are being left behind to fend for themselves. This bill will help these animals obtain the proper care and attention they need.”

AB 2949 will be heard by the full California Assembly as soon as this week, and will then move to the Senate for consideration. Please visit our pressroom to read more about California AB 2949.

A Horse Is a Horse, Even a Small Horse, Of Course

Calling all fans of the noble equine! If you've been looking for an excuse to visit New York (besides the infamous Naked Cowboy), here's a good one. Check out the American Museum of Natural History’s new “The Horse” exhibit, running now through January 4, 2009.

Last weekend, the ASPCA joined in on the opening day festivities, displaying a full-size replica of a vintage horse ambulance, once seen on the streets of New York City in the late 1800's. Members of our staff were on hand to answer questions about the ASPCA's history of horse protection, and showcased select original equine protection artifacts from the ASPCA's archives. You can find out about the work of our Equine Program, which provides lifesaving grants to equine rescue groups throughout the country.

Our ambulance was definitely cool, but the star of the festivities was Thumbelina, the world’s smallest horse—she’s just 17 1/2 inches tall! She attracted major crowds, who gathered to watch her even when she was in a peaceful slumber.

If you're not familiar with the Thumbelina Charitable Foundation, it's worth checking out. Thumbelina travels the United States visiting special needs children.

Martha Stewart's Empire Is Going to the Dogs

She knows which fork to use for what course at dinner, she makes a mean French onion soup and she also happens to be the brains behind an amazing media empire. But didja know Martha Stewart is also a serious animal lover? In fact, she describes her dogs as “so loyal and such marvelous company” that “I would rather be with them than almost anyone”—so it’s not surprising that Stewart has partnered with Internet retailer FetchDog.com to raise money for the ASPCA.

FetchDog.com recently opened the Martha Stewart Charitable Shop, an online mini-store featuring more than 20 chic, modern pet products—ranging from cupcake-adorned collars to plush beds and vegetarian treats—handpicked by the domestic diva herself. When pet parents shop from Stewart’s page, a percentage of all their purchases from the entire FetchDog site will be donated to the ASPCA.

“This is the best of both worlds for dog lovers,” says Jo Sullivan, ASPCA Senior Vice President. “While buying products for their own pets, they’re also giving back to animals in need.” So how does Martha Stewart indulge her dogs? Find out at www.FetchDog.com!

It's National Dog Bite Prevention Week!

We hate for our beloved doggies to get any negative PR. But the reality is, dogs do bite, and so the best thing we can do is show you how to prevent it from happening. According to a survey conducted by the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs annually, with 800,000 individuals—half of them children—requiring medical treatment. To help raise awareness of the issue, a resolution was introduced in Congress that recognizes National Dog Bite Prevention Week, held this year from May 18-24, 2008, and calls on communities to find local solutions to address the problem. In an effort to help parents educate their children about basic safety around dogs, the ASPCA offers the following tips:

• Children should not approach, touch or play with any dog who is sleeping, eating or caring for puppies.


• Children should not pet unfamiliar dogs without first asking permission from the dog’s guardian. If the guardian says it is okay, the child should begin by letting the dog sniff his closed hand.


• If a child sees a dog off-leash, he should tell an adult immediately.


• If a loose dog comes near a child, she should not run or scream. Instead, she should avoid eye contact with the animal and stand very still, "like a tree," until the animal moves away.

Visit our dog bite prevention page for tips and to download our Dog Bite Prevention activity worksheet.

Come On, Ilene! Come On Over to NYC, That Is!

After putting out a call for the Community Leader of 2008—the animal enthusiast who carried out the most inventive, effective ideas for going orange on ASPCA Day—we finally found our lady. Pennsylvania mom and shelter volunteer Ilene Wellner created an orange campaign that sent such a ripple through her community that Philadelphia’s NBC affiliate, NBC10 News, was on the scene to cover her final “Go Orange for Animals” events.




Ilene’s multifaceted grassroots campaign started with her own personal network of friends, whom she called to action on the days leading up to April 10. During that time she organized a towel and blanket drive and a bake sale and bagel benefit, staffed by children and adult volunteers wearing orange ASPCA gear. She sent out hundreds of flyers and more than a thousand emails encouraging community members to donate much-needed supplies, to attend fundraising events and to wear orange on ASPCA Day. Ilene’s ASPCA Day orchestrations culminated with celebrations at two schools, where happy orange-clad students were taught about kindness to animals and were visited by even happier adopted dogs. When one student was asked what he had learned on ASPCA Day, he replied, “I learned to always be kind to animals and not buy a pet in a pet store.” All supplies and funds generated by Ilene’s campaign were brought to local shelters and the ASPCA, and her efforts inspired an outpouring of donations that are still coming in.

Community Leader Contest winner Ilene Wellner with her daughter, Samantha, ASPCA President & CEO Ed Sayres, and Melissa Treuman, ASPCA Manager of Community Relations

So, now for the good part. What did she win? We brought Ilene and her young daughter, Samantha, to New York City for a three-day/two-night trip to visit the ASPCA’s headquarters, including a guided tour of our newly renovated, state-of-the-art adoption center, an opportunity to meet and get photographed with ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement officer Annemarie Lucas ASPCA President & CEO Ed Sayres.

Here’s what Ilene has to say about her trip:

"I loved my visit to the ASPCA and meeting all of the wonderful and dedicated people who work there! It felt great to be surrounded by people who have the same passion that I do about animal welfare. I really enjoyed touring your facility, seeing the Meet Your Match program at work and experiencing the feeling that the staff genuinely cares about the work they are doing, all contributing to a very good and important worthy cause. I was impressed by the way the adoptable animals are housed and cared for. Loving photography as well as animals, viewing the spectacular photographs of the animals who have found their families was moving and motivating. Meeting Ed, Annemarie and Melissa was the best! Having the opportunity to exchange stories and ideas to implement in the future with them was the highlight. I hope that this is just the beginning for me with the ASPCA. I want to continue contributing to the growth and success of your very important mission. Before this week, the website was the face of your organization to me (which I think is GREAT), but now I feel the heart of what's behind it! If you were to ask my daughter what the highlight of her trip was, she would say meeting Annemarie, who is her new idol--and the pear tart with vanilla ice cream she had for lunch! You guys are terrific!"

Back at ya, Ilene! Thank you for inspiring us and so many others.

Add Three More to the List!

Hooray! A little more than one year after the successful launch of ASPCA Mission: Orange, our initiative to curb the needless euthanasia of the country’s healthy, adoptable pets, three new communities have been chosen to take part in a year-long intensive learning experience called Join ASPCA Mission: Orange. Buncombe County (Asheville), NC, Cleveland, OH, and Oklahoma City, OK, will work together with experts from the ASPCA to develop and implement programs specifically designed to increase live release rates—adoptions, transfers and returns to owners—of animals in their shelters. At the end of the year, those who show significant progress will have a chance to apply to become ASPCA Mission: Orange Target Communities.

Check out our ASPCA Mission: Orange pages to find out how shelters in your community can become part of our initiatives.

The Tragic Death of Eight Belles

Tragedy struck at Churchill Downs this past Saturday, when Eight Belles—the first filly to run the race since 1999—collapsed with two broken ankles after coming in second at the Kentucky Derby. Due to injuries so severe she couldn’t be moved off the track, the three-year-old equine was euthanized immediately following the race.

While there is no evidence that Eight Belles was the victim of abuse, the fact remains that she was subject to compete in a sport known for its inhumane tactics.

“The fragile nature of thoroughbred racehorses and the stress and rigors that these animals are subject to are loudly evidenced in this tragedy,” said ASPA President & CEO Ed Sayres. “The sport of horse racing is no different than other forms of entertainment where animals are forced to perform, oftentimes in stressful and inhumane conditions. These include being raced too young before reaching physical maturity, being raced excessively, being forced to run on hard or slippery surfaces or being injected with drugs to enhance performance.”

It is unfortunate that almost all racing jurisdictions—New York being one exception—now allow potent anti-inflammatory analgesic drugs to be administered to injured and lame horses to keep them racing in spite of chronic and painful injuries.

To read our complete statement issued earlier this week, please visit ASPCA.org.

Because Moms Love Cute Wittle Animals

Happy May! You know what May means--Mother's Day! (Even if you try to forget, TV won't let you. And if you keep your TV shut, your mom won't let you forget either.) After all, even the most selfless moms want to be recognized one day a year—and now thankful husbands, kiddies and other family members can choose a gift she’ll really love. Check out the jewelry, books and other items selected especially for Mother’s Day in our Online Store. Not only will giving a gift from the ASPCA help us in our mission to save animals, but Mom will look great spreading the message in one of our ladies’ fitted tees!

Voluntarily Showin' Gratitude

It's National Volunteer Week! The staff at the ASPCA Adoption Center has decorated the building for the volunteers and is providing yummy treats all week. Our volunteers are crucial to the well-being and happiness of our animals.

If you've thought about volunteering at an animal shelter, this is the perfect time to check out your options! Visit your local shelter and ask how you can help! If you live in New York City, you can volunteer at New York City Animal Care and Control.

If you're already a volunteer, thank you for your important, selfless work. We couldn't do it without you.

In Praise of Older Cats; Tell Us Your Story

Has your elderly kitty retired into luxurious windowsill lounging, reminiscing over her lifetime of catnapping and chasing felt mousies? It's not uncommon for cats to reach their twentieth birthday, and this June, for Adopt-A-Shelter Cat month, we want to honor your wise old buds.

If you have an elderly feline who’s living the good life in her golden years, please send a photo and adoption story to catstory@aspca.org. You may be featured on our website this June.

Happy Earth Day!

The green scene in 2008 has gone beyond gardens—it now includes litter boxes and doggie treats. This Earth Day, you don’t need a green thumb to help the planet. If you have an animal companion who eats, sleeps, plays and poops, you’ve got plenty of opportunities to cut down on waste, raise your pet’s quality of life and color your corner of the world green.

Top Ten Ways to Go Green for Pets

Spring Cleaning
Empty out the dark corners of your closets, basement and attic, but before throwing your dusty treasures away, call your local shelters and ask if they need old towels, bedding, leashes, litter boxes and pet toys. They may even be looking for unused printers and computer monitors.

Water Works
Give your pet filtered tap water instead of bottled to drink. If you must use bottled, be sure to recycle.

The Power of Poop
Scoop dog poop with biodegradable bags instead of plastic bags from the grocery store. If you’re a suburbanite (or an urbanite with a lawn), do some research on doggie septic systems—they help keep your lawn free of smelly surprises and break waste down into a liquid the ground can absorb. And kitty parents, go for eco-friendly cat litters, avoiding brands with mined minerals.

Green Grooming
Use earth-friendly pet shampoos and grooming products whenever possible.

Garden of Delights
If you have space, consider growing your own garden for your fruit- and veggie- loving reptiles and small mammals. Before using insecticides, research mulching and other gardening practices that can help reduce the amount of insecticides and herbicides you might need.

Spot On
Should your furry love leave a little dribble (or more) on the carpeting or floor, don’t reach for the bleach. Use vinegar instead. This environment-friendly liquid can act as an effective odor-remover and can kill mold and bacteria. Please keep in mind, though, that vinegar must be diluted correctly with water.

Cutting Back is Going Green
There are plenty of small ways to cut back on energy and materials.

· Instead of using a blow dryer to dry your freshly bathed pet, towel or air dry her.

· Walk your dog to the doggie park rather than driving there.

· Cut down on paper products—clean up with rags or recycled paper towels.

· Put light and heating bulbs in your reptile and fish habitats on timers.

Put Your Foot Down
Don't wear shoes in the house. They bring extra pesticides, fungicides and dirt inside—your pets are exposed enough when licking their paws after walking outside on treated surfaces. (Of course, you should wipe all paws before letting them back into the house!)

Green Goodies
Consider making your own healthy dog biscuits and storing them in reusable containers. If you purchase store-bought treats, buy them in cardboard packaging and be sure to recycle.

Bulk Up
Buy pet supplies in bulk or the largest available size. You’ll make fewer trips to the store and cut down on packaging to discard of.

Awarded for Justice, Our Role in Vick Case Honored

A few of our staff members were bummed about missing our NYC festivities on April 10, ASPCA Day, but they had a good reason--they were busy in Virgina, receiving awards!

At the ceremony for the U.S. Attorney's Office 2008 Law Enforcement Public Service Awards, four of our key staff members were recognized for their invaluable assistance in the federal investigation of ex-NFL star Michael Vick. The investigation—remarkable for the way it captured the public’s attention and for the wealth of resources invested by the federal government—called upon our experts to provide essential aid in veterinary forensics and to play a key role in the rescue of 49 dogs found on Vick’s Surry County, VA, property.

At the private award ceremony on April 10, presided over by Chuck Rosenberg, United States Attorney, Eastern District of Virginia, ASPCA staff members represented the only animal welfare organization in a room full of FBI agents and other law enforcement heroes. Dr. Melinda Merck, ASPCA Senior Director, Veterinary Forensics; Dr. Stephen Zawistowski, CAAB, Executive Vice President, National Programs; Dr. Randall Lockwood, CAAB, Senior Vice President, Anti-Cruelty Initiatives and Legislative Services, and Dr. Pamela Reid, CAAB, Vice President, Animal Behavior Center, each received an award for providing invaluable assistance in one of the most significant cases in the history of animal cruelty prosecution.

"It was very special to receive this award with my colleagues on the ASPCA's anniversary,” says Zawistowski. “The dedication and effort extended by the federal prosecutor and investigators, along with the public support for the effort, clearly confirmed that the mission we have followed for the past 142 years is alive and well."

For more information on the ASPCA’s groundbreaking anti-cruelty initiatives, please visit ASPCA.org.

Action Against the So-Called "Greatest Show"

We have urged Turner Network Television (TNT) to immediately cancel Greatest Show on Earth, its upcoming series that touts a “behind-the-scenes” look at the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. Unfortunately, the real behind-the-scenes story is one of unrelenting cruelty to animals: the abuse of Ringling Bros. circus elephants has been exhaustively documented by animal welfare organizations, state humane agencies and U.S. Department of Agriculture inspectors. The ASPCA—currently involved in a lawsuit against the circus for violations of the federal Endangered Species Act and the Animal Welfare Act—urges all those who care about animals to speak out against TNT’s new show.

In a March 19 letter to Turner Network’s president Steve Koonin, ASPCA President & CEO Ed Sayres wrote, “To entertain the unsuspecting public at the expense of the welfare of these noble animals goes against all tenets of humanity and our responsibility to protect the animals with whom we share the earth. TNT’s viewers should certainly not be subjected to such hypocritical and unethical programming.”

You can help us speak out against Greatest Show on Earth by emailing its producers, Mark Wolper and Al Hassas, at kathleen.doise@wbtvprod.com and al@thecollective-la.com, respectively. TNT president Steve Koonin can be contacted at anne.smith@turner.com. Letters may be sent to: Steve Koonin, President, Turner Network Television, 1010 Techwood Dr. NW, Atlanta, GA 30318

You can further fight animal exploitation and abuse by taking the ASPCA’s Pledge to Fight Animal Cruelty. Just a click will help you learn how to identify and report abuse, stay up-to-date on the latest animal cruelty news and learn how to write letters to your legislators in the name of animals.

To learn more about circus cruelty, please visit www.aspca.org/circus.

A City Aglow in Orange

You requested to see photos of buildings that went orange on ASPCA Day! Your wish is our command and stuff.

Here are the Empire State Building and the Zeckendorf Towers in Union Square. Doesn't everything look better in orange? These pics would look better if there were stars, but yeah, we don't really get stars in New York.


Watching the sun go down and buildings go orange was a lovely way to end the evening last Thursday. By the way, if you have any photos of buildings that went orange in your area, let us know via comment, and we'll get back to you with where to send 'em.

ASPCA Day--The Aftermath

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ. Huh? Oh, excuse us, we're still exhausted from all the celebrating yesterday! Thanks for helping us celebrate ASPCA Day! We hope you had as much fun as we did. We’re honored by all the landmarks that lit up in orange last night, including the Empire State Building, the Sears Tower—and even Niagara Falls! But we are even more moved by your outpour of affection and support for all those wonderful animals out there who need homes. ASPCA Day may be officially behind us for this year, but there’s still more fun to be had and more awareness to spread! Make sure you stay tuned to our website to keep up to date on how to help fight animal cruelty—and if you were at Union Square in New York City with us yesterday, you just might see yourself decked out in orange when we post our photos!

So, how did you celebrate yesterday? Are you a teacher who had your class dress up in orange? Did you organize a special event in your area to spread the word about fighting animal cruelty? We wanna hear your story, so enter our Community Leader contest. You could win a trip to New York City!

If you don’t want to enter the contest, but still want to share photos and stories from your community’s ASPCA Day celebration, you can do so on the ASPCA Day Group on our Online Community. We look forward to hearing from you. Thanks again!

Happy ASPCA Day!

Of course, you're not reading this. You're out celebrating ASPCA Day, right? As for us, our birthday is barely halfway through, but we've already had tons of action today. Our staff members and volunteers went orange at the New York City morning shows! Here we are at the CBS Early Show, bright-eyed and bushy tailed...

...Some of us more bushy tailed than others.

What would ASPCA Day be without these guys? This is Arthur...

And here's Pepper (such a ham!) with our own Senior Manager of Professional Communications, Dana Farbman, CVT .

CBS weatherman Dave Price adopted his dog from the ASPCA!

Who's that lady hiding behind our ad in today's newspaper? We'll give you a hint.

Now, THIS is what ASPCA Day is all about. Is that dedication or what??

OK, gotta go now. We're heading over to Union Square to attend the ASPCA Day festivities! We're excited to see the Empire State Building light up in orange tonight. Check out our full list of buildings and landmarks lighting up in orange tonight--maybe there's one near you! Have fun everyone, and thank you for your support. We couldn't do it without you.

ASPCA Day--You're Only a Day Away!

After weeks of preparation and excitement, we’re so thrilled that ASPCA DAY will finally be here tomorrow! We asked you what you’re doing to help celebrate. Here are some highlights from members of the ASPCA Day Group on our Online Community:

* My friends and I put posters around our school and made an announcement on the intercom, and told everyone to go orange for the animals. We made T-shirts for Thursday, April 10, and sold them, and now we are going to donate that money to ASPCA. So on Thursday everyone will wear their orange shirts.
-Shelbie, 14
Colorado Springs

* I'm wearing orange and so are my kids.....my son's 3rd grade class is also wearing orange!!!
-Andrea
Caldwell

*One member, Jamie, wanted to give a shout out to a special vet:

How about some recognition for the people who do it every day! Here in Spokane, WA, Dr. Kathy Tucker volunteers her time (and I'm sure her money for the medications) every week to give shots and basic veterinary care to the pets of homeless and low income individuals. Without her, many pets would go without needed vaccinations and health care. She has been doing this for as long as I can remember and does it free of charge (for those who can't afford to donate). I've never seen her turn anyone away based on ability to pay. Hurray for Dr. Tucker—somebody should give her some recognition for her dedication to the health and welfare of animals!!!
(Thanks, Jamie, you did just that!)

*And hey, ASPCA Day even brings some laughs:

Mad Cowford Improv Presents Comedy for Critters
Jacksonville’s Improv Troupe Hosts Comedy Show to Benefit ASPCA

Mad Cowford Improv, Jacksonville’s only live improvisational comedy troupe, will host a comedy show to benefit the ASPCA. This event is being sponsored by Allstate Credit Division.

Performers will wear orange to promote awareness of ASPCA Day, and audience members are also encouraged to wear orange. There is a suggested donation of $10.00 for tickets. 100% of proceeds benefit the ASPCA, and Allstate Credit Division will match all donations with an additional 15%.

Mad Cowford Improv organized the comedy event in recognition of the ASPCA’s contributions to the First Coast. Last year the ASPCA provided a $10,000 emergency grant to the Jacksonville Humane Society after a tragic fire consumed one of the buildings that had housed more than 150 dogs and cats.

“Many of the Mad Cowford players have rescued pets, so the ASPCA is an organization we believe in,” says cast director John Kalinowski. “It’s the APSCA’s 142nd birthday, which of course is 994 in dog years. Go Orange!”

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Thanks so much to all of you for your support! Be sure to check in with us Friday and enter the Community Leader contest (you can win a trip to NYC!). If you're not into contests, just log in to our ASPCA Online Community and send us photos and stories of how you went orange.

Last but not least...New Yorkers, see you tomorrow in Union Square! With orange on.

Live Chat With Officer Annemarie Lucas--Tomorrow!

Going orange for ASPCA Day this April 10? Great! We’ve planned some exciting events for this special day, which honors the ASPCA’s victories on behalf of animals. Many of these victories resulted from the lifesaving work of our ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement officers, whom you’ve probably seen in action on Animal Planet’s hit series, Animal Precinct. To learn more about their work, please join us for a talk with ASPCA Supervisory Special Investigator Annemarie Lucas at our ASPCA Online Community tomorrow, Tuesday, April 8, from noon to 2:00 P.M. EST. Don’t miss this chance to talk to one of the ASPCA’s finest and find out how to prevent animal cruelty in honor of ASPCA Day!

Letter From Our VP: How ASPCA Day Moves and Inspires

To kick off this exciting week—ASPCA Day is Thursday, but we’re already in the spirit around here!—we have a special guest blogger. Jo Sullivan, ASPCA Senior Vice President of Development and Communications, wanted to share with you how ASPCA Day has touched and inspired her. She will be speaking at Union Square in New York City on Thursday—don’t miss it! So without further ado, here’s Jo:

As April 10 approaches, I am struck by the sense of excitement people are feeling for ASPCA Day. What started out as a few people posting notices on meet-up sites and asking their friends to "do something orange" has turned into the largest event the ASPCA has. It is humbling to know how many people we touch and how much our work means to the pet loving part of our population. Last year we poured over stories and photos across the country and were moved to tears by so many of them. One that stands out is the story of a privately owned nursing home—the residents, the facility, even the staff all went orange. They sent pictures of four-legged babies with all the residents, and pictures of all the decorations and orange snacks anybody could want. My mother was suffering from Alzheimer's at that time and in a nursing home herself. Knowing how much happiness and comfort my dogs brought their Grandma when they visited, I was especially touched at how some special people brought joy to that group and helped us go orange—even in a nursing home. Schools, banks, neighborhoods—the stories went on and on and we were honored by every single effort.

When I started here in 1999, it was the realization of a life-long dream to help animals. True, I thought I'd end up being Dr. Doolittle and have the power to speak to critters—but speaking for them is close enough. April 10 has a special significance to me because it allows us all here to take a moment and celebrate what we've done. To acknowledge homeless pets and animal cruelty can be hard, slow to change, painful to see and sometimes it seems overwhelming. But to allow ourselves to look around at the victories we've achieved makes it worthwhile.

April 10 acknowledges that 142 years ago, a brave man named Henry Bergh felt animals were important enough to form the first animal welfare society in North America, and that 142 years later, we are still here. Still fighting. Still winning. And most importantly still loving the animals we serve. Join us and go orange— tie a ribbon on your car, your wrist or your front door. When somebody asks "What's that mean?" you can tell them that you are going orange for animals and to check out the ASPCA's website to find out how they can go orange, too.

April is All About the Animals

Happy April! We fool you not—April is Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month! It also just happens to be the month ASPCA Day falls. Henry Bergh, who founded the ASPCA 142 years ago, would be very proud!

What can you do to help animals this month?

1. Take the pledge to fight animal cruelty.
2. Invite your friends to do the same!
3. Go orange for ASPCA Day this April 10th!
4. Read the top 10 ways to prevent animal cruelty.
5. And, of course, become a member of the ASPCA!

Stay tuned this month. Check this blog and our website, www.aspca.org, for updates on events and dates for live, online discussions with ASPCA experts on our Online Community.

Reach Out and Nominate Someone

Time to make your nominations for the 2008 ASPCA Humane Awards! Why not give a shout-out to an extraordinary animal or animal lover in your life, someone who has furthered animal welfare in the United States over the past year. Winners will be invited to attend the Humane Awards Luncheon in New York City. The deadline for entries is July 15, 2008, at 12:00 PM (EST). Here are the categories for which Humane Awards will be given. Click these links to bring you to the appropriate nomination form.



ASPCA Dog of the Year
For the dog who has performed a heroic act in the past year.

ASPCA Cat of the Year
For the cat who has performed a heroic act in the past year.

ASPCA Kid of the Year
For someone 14 years of age or younger who has performed a heroic act in the past year.

ASPCA Law Enforcement Officer of the Year
For the member of a municipal police force—or other public service officer—who made a heroic effort to save an animal in the past year.

ASPCA Firefighter of the Year
For the member of a fire department or rescue squad who has made a heroic effort to save an animal in the past year.

Last year’s winners included a first-aid wunderkind and golden retriever who performed a modified Heimlich maneuver on his choking owner, a petite kitty with a loud voice who saved her family from dying of carbon monoxide poisoning and a selfless pre-teen who works tirelessly on behalf of homeless horses.

P.S. Winners will be chosen by a committee selected by the ASPCA, and announced to the public in mid-October. For more information, please visit www.aspca.org/nominate.

P.P.S. Need another reason to nominate someone? If they win, they might bring ya with them to NYC! ;)

ASPCA Day Wake-Up Call For New Yorkers!

Hey New Yorkers, how early are you willing to wake up to help animals? On ASPCA Day, April 10 (next Thursday!!) we're looking for volunteers to attend The Today Show wearing orange and holding posters! If you need orange gear to wear, get it here.

-The Today Show (NBC) is on the corner of 49th St. and Fifth Ave

The meeting time will be 6:00 AM...ouch, we know, but it's for a good cause. Thanks so much--hope to see you there!

And the Winners Are...

Back in February, we put out a call for photos of your first puppy (and kitty) loves for our My Furry Valentine Contest. Our judges have selected their top entries, and we’re proud to present them here. Thank you to everyone who entered, and four paws up to our winners. May your days be filled with wagging tails, purry wishes, furry head butts and doggie kisses!

Click here to get up close and personal with the winners. Read all about these amazing animals and their adoption stories!

Know somebody who can’t resist cute dogs and kitties? Please share our winners with them, too.

Teens: Chat With Award-Winning Author Tomorrow!

Why do animals go extinct?

What can people do to help keep endangered species alive?

If so many species have died off, why did you, as an author, choose these specific animals to write about?

J. Patrick Lewis, award-winning author of nearly 40 books for kids, has written poems about the history and beauty of 22 extinct animals in Swan Song, featured this month on the ASPCA’s Henry’s Book Club. Lewis, who has been writing for kids for over 20 years, will chat with teen readers about extinct animals and what it’s like to be an author. Please join us in the ASPCA Online Community tomorrow, Wednesday, March 26, 6:30 P.M. to 7:30 P.M. EST.

Last Chance to Win an ASPCA Day Kit!

Ready to go orange on April 10? To get the party started, we're giving away 100 free ASPCA Day Kits, complete with a T-shirt, bandana and wrist bands to share with friends and fellow animal lovers.

You may remember our first announcement in Feb. about this...where does the time go? The contest closes on March 27—that's Thursday—so enter right now. Pronto, before you forget!

Poisonous Plants Video and..Don't Miss Live Chat Tomorrow!

Lilies, amaryllis, English ivy… What flora should be forbidden in your home, pet parents? These common plants, along with 14 others, are featured in a new video hosted by our own Dr. Steven Hansen, veterinary toxicologist & ASPCA Senior Vice President. Created especially for National Poison Prevention Week, March 16-22, the video outlines possible toxic effects, along with actual examples of each plant, so you know what to look out for.



P.S. Got questions about other potentially toxic plants and substances? Why not ask our ASPCA experts directly!? Join our live “Ask the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center” chat TOMORROW, March 20, from noon to 2:00 P.M. EST in the ASPCA Online Community. Dana Farbman, CVT, Senior Manager, Professional Communications, and Dr. Eric Dunayer, Veterinary Toxicologist, will be ready to answer your toughest questions about pet poison control.

Find Us on Bebo!

Have you heard about Bebo yet? It's a social networking site that's especially popular with the young crowd! We've launched a new profile there, and we hope you'll send us a friend request! While you're at it, comment on the photos of our animals from our adoption center and draw a picture on our white board.

Official ASPCA Bebo Profile

See you on Bebo!

Adopt-A-Bull Contest

Nobody loves a story about someone finding their perfect four-legged match as much as we do—except maybe you. Now, we’re putting out a call for adoption success stories featuring pit bulls. What better way to get the word out that pit bulls can indeed make loving and loyal, delightful and devoted companions?

We've launched the Adopt-A-Bull Contest (pretty clever, if we do say so ourselves), sponsored by the New York-based Animal Farm Foundation, Inc, a group dedicated to protecting American pit bull terriers from discrimination and cruelty. We're accepting nominations of successful adoptions of pit bulls made at shelters using the ASPCA’s Meet Your Match™ program. MYM focuses on the individual dog and adopter—making matches based on an individual dog’s behavior and the lifestyle and expectations of the adopter.

The contest will run four times throughout the year, with one winner announced each quarter. The winning shelters will be awarded a $4,000 grant, and the dog-and-pet parent matches from each winning shelter will score a prize pack and automatically be entered into the “Vote for Your Favorite Match” contest, which will take place here, online at ASPCA.org., in February 2009. Yep, we’ll be asking you to cast their vote for your favorite couple, so stay tuned!

The grand-prize shelter winner will be treated to a trip to New York City to participate in the third annual ASPCA Day celebration (that’s April 10, 2009) and a $5,000 grant, and the pet parent-pooch duo who receives the most votes in our online contest will win a photo shoot with a professional photographer and a bronze of their top dog.

And if, over the course of the contest, any of our winning dog-human duos get you thinking that a pit bull might make a perfect match for your family, please visit ASPCA.org for more information…that’s the point of our contest, after all!

Meet Your Match Shelters: Enter the Contest!

Recent Pit Bull/Pit Bull Mix Adopters: Enter the Contest!

Now, since we figure we're entitled to one bad pun per blog post, we'll sign off saying this: If you don't enter this contest and you're eligible, that'll really be the pits.

Our Response to Infamous Marine-Puppy Video Clip

Thanks to everyone who contacted us about the video clip recently seen all over the Web, where a member of the United States Military can be seen apparently committing a heinous act of animal cruelty, flinging a puppy off a cliff.

We understand your outrage. Please click here to view our response. We invite and encourage you to share this link with your friends who are concerned about the upsetting incident.

Live Chat With ASPCA Lawyer-Lobby Expert!

I always hear the term “Breed Specific Legislation,” or BSL. What does that mean?

How can I help pass humane legislation in my state?

What’s the best way to get my legislator’s attention about a humane issue?

The number-one question we get here at the ASPCA is: How can I help? (This also happens to be our favorite question!) Lobbying for laws that protect animals is a great way to get involved. Wanna find out more about humane laws and how the legislative process works? Just ask the ASPCA’s Ledy VanKavage, Esq., Senior Director of Legislation and Legal Training.

VanKavage will be on hand to answer your questions live Friday, March 7 from noon to 2:00 P.M. EST in our ASPCA Online Community. She brings more than 20 years of experience in the humane movement! For more information, please visit the Lobby For Animals section on our website.

How to Donate Without Spending a Dime

Bet you thought it was impossible to donate money without actually, well…donating money! Well, we've teamed up with AnimalAttraction.com, an online community for pet lovers, and for each new free registration on the site, Animal Attraction will donate $1 to the ASPCA! Not only that, but for each friend you refer who joins, they’ll donate another dollar—and for every new day you log in, they’ll give an extra penny. Believe us, it adds up.

The amount AnimalAttraction contributes to the ASPCA shows up on your profile, so you can proudly track the money you’ve helped raise. And it won’t be difficult to want to sign in every day—there are plenty of fun incentives on AnimalAttraction to keep you hooked. They’ve got a photo contest, pet news and other exciting features.

Goin' For the Gold: ASPCA Talent Show

Last Friday, we celebrated I Love NYC Pets Month by giving shelter dogs a chance to take the stage. At the ASPCA’s third annual “Best in Show” competition, ten adoptable dogs displayed their talents to our panel of celebrity judges, including Emmy award-winning Third Rock from the Sun actress Kristen Johnston; legendary actress and singer Maureen McGovern; HOT 97 DJ Angie Martinez; Lonneke Engel, the face of Ralph Lauren’s HOT perfume, and the ASPCA’s Supervisory Special Investigator, Officer Annemarie Lucas.

The feisty contestants─scored on overall presentation, attentiveness to their handlers and creativity of their tricks─really hammed it up for our judges. Honda, a seven-year-old Rottweiler, put all of his toys away. Yankee, an eight-year-old pit bull mix, played "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" on a toy piano to score second place, and one-year-old pit mix Charlie’s kiss-giving expertise earned him third prize. But it was Jazz, a three-year-old mastiff mix, who took top honors when, wearing her special fire-fighting T-shirt, she demonstrated the three rules of fire safety: Stop, Drop and Roll.

All the dogs were rewarded with treats, resounding applause and television coverage, and the following weekend, Jazz really did get first prize─she was adopted! That was the point of the contest after all, to show potential adopters just how snuggly, smart and loveable our shelter dogs are.

“I have never met anyone who’s had a bad experience with a rescue dog,” Kristen Johnston told CBS while scratching her very own ASPCA rescue, Pinky, under the ears. The seven-year-old pit bull mix watched all the action as she basked in her adoptive mom’s adoring touch.

Here we have a video of the talent show, for your viewing pleasure!

Poor Poodle; Amazing Arrest

Last Tuesday, ASPCA Special Agent Debbie Ryan arrested Diana Elias, 52, at her home on East 122nd Street, New York City, on misdemeanor charges of animal cruelty. Following up on an anonymous complaint, Agent Ryan discovered Elias’s six-year-old miniature poodle, Miss Bea, in a closet, encased in a solid cocoon of matted hair laden with urine, feces and filth. Long-term lack of grooming and exercise had rendered Miss Bea unable to stand or walk; she was also suffering from an ear infection and nails so overgrown that they curled around and pierced the skin on her paw pads. Vets at the ASPCA's Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital (BMAH) removed three pounds of knotted hair—one-third of the dog’s total body weight.

“This was an extreme case of neglect, one that didn’t happen overnight,” says Dr. Robert Reisman, ASPCA Medical Coordinator of Animal Abuse Cases. “The muscles in Miss Bea's front legs had atrophied due to non-use, and her carpal joints—the equivalent of wrists in humans—became extended to compensate for her immobility. It took at least four months for her to reach this state.”

While Elias, charged with one count of misdemeanor animal cruelty, faces up to one year in jail and/or a $2,000 fine, Miss Bea is getting her second chance at life and love. After completing medical treatment at BMAH, including spay surgery and a thorough grooming, she was made available for adoption. On February 14, her new parents, Gabrielle and Giovanna Sorci, came all the way from Pennsylvania to adopt the little white dog and give her the love and nurturing she deserves—a true Valentine’s Day success story!

If you know of an animal whose health is being compromised by neglect, please report it. In New York City, contact the ASPCA's anonymous tip line at (877) THE-ASPCA. To learn how to report cruelty elsewhere, visit our Report Cruelty section.

ASPCA Animals Featured on Oprah.com!

Naturally, the Oprah Winfrey show is focusing on love today. And even more naturally, Oprah is making the wonderful connection between love and adopting an animal!

Check out the 20 featured dogs and cats on Oprah.com. They are all available at our ASPCA Adoption Center!

Safety Tips For Valentine's Day (Huh?)

Happy Valentine's Day!

Bet you never thought to associate Valentine's Day with pet hazards, but hey, that's our job, to be better safe than sorry. So please read these tips to keep your furry ones safe today, and then proceed to give them a kiss and a hug. After all, have you ever had a Valentine who gives you more love?

- Many varieties of lilies are highly toxic to cats, so if these are your—or your Valentine’s—flower of choice, make sure your cats can’t get near them. Other potentially poisonous flowers may include tulips, amaryllis, daisies, chrysanthemums and baby’s breath. Check out our Safe Flower Guide for a list of alternatives.

- Candlelit dinners are about as high on the romantic scale as you can get—but please don’t leave the room while flames are still burning. Many pets, particularly kittens, are attracted to the flames and could get burned or singed. Let curious paws find safer things to play with!

- Take extra care if you’ll be serving vino with your dinner—many pets have been known to explore an alcoholic beverage left in a glass. If ingested, this could cause a range of symptoms, from vomiting and diarrhea to metabolic disturbances and even coma.

Click here for the complete ASPCA Guide to a Pet-Friendly Valentine’s Day.

New ASPCA Online Book Club--For Young 'Uns!

With the launch of Henry’s Book Club, named after visionary and ASPCA founder Henry Bergh, young animal-loving readers can sink their teeth into wonderfully written humane books─and share their thoughts with each other online.

Each month our humane education experts will feature a book for young adults from our collection of Henry Bergh Children’s Book Award winners. Readers will be invited to a moderated online discussion with thought-provoking questions provided by ASPCA experts and the book authors themselves. And, as a special experience, they’ll be invited to live, online chats with the authors. Our first author chat will be held next Thursday, February 14, from 4:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. EST, in the Henry's Book Club Online Community. Ann Martin, author of this month’s young adult selection A Dog’s Life: The Autobiography of a Stray, will answer readers’ questions directly.

For the little literati, not only will we feature a book each month, chosen by Henry, the club’s canine mascot who dons a Bergh-esque top hat, but we'll give parents and teachers guidelines on how curious young readers can start their own book clubs. So let’s put some great humane literature into the hands of our next generation and let them discuss the books with their own literary set.

"Little Black Dress" Contest--Benefit for Animals and Egos!

Who: Shapes Total Fitness and Blue Martini present “Little Black Dress” to benefit the Humane Society of Tampa Bay.

What: The “Little Black Dress” contest is for all females in Tampa Bay over 21, and prizes will be awarded to women in several age categories. Tickets are $10 at the door and $5 in advance, with a $25 registration fee. All proceeds will benefit the Humane Society of Tampa Bay!

Where: Blue Martini at International Plaza

When: Semifinals- Monday, February 11th, 6-9pm
Finals- Wednesday, February 13th, 6-9pm (Top 5 from each age category make the finals)

Why: Because your contributions will go toward homeless animals and because you’ll get to celebrate your fabulous shape in man’s most fabulous (and flattering!) invention—the little black dress.

Did You Catch CSI Last Night?

Created in close consultation with two ASPCA experts—Dr. Randall Lockwood, Senior Vice President, ASPCA Anti-Cruelty Initiatives, and Dr. Melinda Merck, the country’s premiere “animal CSI,” last night’s episode focused on the brutal and illegal world of dog fighting. A special thanks to CSI for helping us raise public awareness of this abominable form of animal cruelty.

If you missed it and would like to learn more about what you can do to stop dog fighting, please visit the ASPCA Anti-Cruelty Resource Center.

Live Chat with Expert Psychologist--Today!!

Help, my boyfriend asked me to choose between him—and my cat!

Will I ever be able to cope with the loss of my best friend—my dog?

Is there a way to get my new husband to warm up to my pets?

The ASPCA's Dr. Stephanie LaFarge is a psychologist who specializes in human/animal relationships and the human/animal bond. You may have seen her regular Q&A column on our website. Today, February 8, the good doctor will be in to host a live chat on our ASPCA Online Community. Please join us from noon to 2:00 P.M. EST to gain some expert insight and advice for strengthening your relationships with the four-legged members of the family.

How Does Your Dog Measure Up?

That's right, we need your dog's measurements. We’re looking to expand our ASPCA Collection of collars, coats, life preservers and harnesses, and in order to best suit (literally!) the needs of all canines, we'd love to get the stats of your pooch's chest, neck and body.

Don’t worry, we're not looking for 34-24-34. That'd probably look pretty silly, actually. Before you grab your tape measure, make sure you sit your dog down and tell her that true beauty is found within, and you love her no matter what her proportions are. For full details on how to measure your dog, and to take the survey, please click here. Hurry, the deadline is next Friday, February 8—and thanks in advance for your help.

Show Us the Love!

Remember the first time you fell in love? You gazed into each other’s eyes, and all you could hear was the thump, thump, thump of… his wagging tail?

You know how we love to celebrate the human-animal bond at the ASPCA, and this February, we’re thrilled to announce our My Furry Valentine Photo Contest in honor of your first puppy (and kitty) loves. We wanna see your best shot of your best bud—maybe it was your childhood pooch, or the first four-legged member of your current family. You know, that special furry someone who opened up your heart and helped you earn a lifetime membership as a doting pet parent.

The top ten winners will receive an ASPCA Prize Pack, and winning photos will also be featured on the ASPCA website and in ASPCA Action. Please visit ASPCA.org for complete details and contest rules. Entries will be accepted now through February 29—we can’t wait to see what you’ve got for us!

Make 'Em All Say AWWWWWWWWWWWWW

Bypass the candy and flowers this Valentine’s Day—how cliché, right? A professional portrait of you and your real true love—your pet—is the ultimate gift.

For a $75 donation to the ASPCA, you will get a 30-minute professional photo shoot at the ASPCA’s 424 East 92nd Street headquarters with photographer Geoffrey Tischman. You’ll also receive a 5 X 7 portrait from the shoot, and when you order additional Valentine’s Day cards and custom prints, 50 percent of those funds will benefit the homeless animals at the ASPCA.

Tischman will be available on Friday, February 1, and Saturday, February 2, from 9:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. As space is limited and RSVPs are required, please call (212) 876-7700, ext. 4586 to reserve your spot.

P.S. All pets are welcome—the furry, the feathered and the scaly!

Double Digits, Dawg!

We're here to brag--er, humbly report--that ASPCA adoptions at its Manhattan headquarters and mobile adoption center, as well as mobile spay/neuter surgeries, each experienced double digit increases in 2007. Whoo hoo!

“The plight of homeless animals is still a significant concern in New York City,” said ASPCA President and CEO Ed Sayres. “But by focusing on increasing adoptions and preventing unwanted litters, we’re increasing exponentially the number of lives we can save.”

In 2007, a total of 2,728 cats and dogs were adopted, a 21 percent increase over 2006, when 2,253 were adopted. “This is the largest percentage increase we’ve ever seen in a one-year span,” said Gail Buchwald, the ASPCA’s Senior Vice President of Animal Placement and Mobile Clinic Outreach.

The rise in adoptions at the ASPCA in 2007 is attributed in part to a $5 million, state-of-the-art renovation completed in the fourth quarter of 2006, which increased the capacity in its Pet Adoption Center by 40 percent. The quality housing space, in a cheerful and cage-free environment, helps showcase pets and increase their chances for adoption.

**Click here to check out the available animals at the ASPCA, and get a tour of our awesome adoption center!

One Million Strong!

Slaps on the back all around...we did it! Back in September 2006, we first asked you to lend your support—and signatures—to the Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare, started by the UK-based World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA). The petition calls on governments all over the world to accept animal welfare as an important issue.

We are thrilled to report that on December 22, 2007, Costa Rican President and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Oscar Arias signed the petition, making him its one-millionth signatory! WSPA’s goal for 2008 is two million more signatures on the petition, and its ultimate goal is 10 million signatures and United Nations adoption of the declaration.

Every nation in the world is now represented on the petition. Have you signed it yet? To find out more about the Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare, please visit http://www.animalsmatter.org/.

'Tis The Season...Sorta!

It's never too early to start next year's Christmas shopping! Not when there are sales to be had.

Check out our online store for amazing discounts on the cutest holiday cards, ornaments and stockings.

Jason Taylor Has a New Defensive Strategy

Don’t sit on the sidelines, animal lovers—come join Miami Dolphin Jason Taylor on the ASPCA team! In a brand-new public service announcement (PSA) created by the ASPCA in partnership with the National Football League, Jason introduces us to his good buddy of 11 years, Bear the Akita. “Nothing compares to the love and loyalty of a pet,” says the defensive end. “This little guy’s a big part of my team….and today, we need you to get in this game.”

Jason is not only a football star, animal hero, and in the opinion of some female ASPCA staffers, dreamy—he was recently selected to play on the AFC Pro Bowl squad! Whoo-hoo!

**Got a blog or profile?
Help us spread the message by adding this video!

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Double the Impact of Your Donation

News alert, news alert! Thanks to a generous $50,000 Challenge grant, every contribution you make to the ASPCA before year end will be matched dollar for dollar until we meet our goal of $50,000! This will seriously increase (double, in fact!) the impact of your donation and membership dollars.

This Challenge is for a limited time only, so give today. Donations and memberships sent by December 31, 2007, qualify as 2007 tax deductions.

The Sentence is In for Michael Vick

The ASPCA applauds the sentence received on Monday, December 10, by NFL quarterback Michael Vick. Vick, who pleaded guilty in August to federal charges in connection with a dogfighting operation on his property in Virginia, appeared before Judge Henry Hudson in Richmond, VA, and was sentenced to 23 months in federal prison, effective immediately. This is at the higher end of the federal sentencing guidelines of 18 to 24 months and is to be followed by a three-year probation period, during which time Vick is forbidden to own or have any contact with dogs other than supporting humane organizations.

“This is a significant moment in the history of animal cruelty prosecution,” says Ed Sayres, ASPCA President & CEO. “It sends a clear message to criminals everywhere—this kind of barbaric cruelty to animals will not be tolerated.”

Vick will serve 23 months minus the time he has already served since surrendering himself early. Two of his codefendants, Purnell Peace and Quanis Phillips, were sentenced to 18 and 21 months respectively, on November 30.

The ASPCA is proud to have assisted federal investigators in many aspects of the case, such as participating in the excavation of graves and examination of remains, leading a team of animal behavior experts in evaluating the dogs seized from Vick’s Virginia property and making recommendations to the United States Department of Agriculture and U.S. Attorney’s office regarding the disposition of the dogs. “This case was investigated and prosecuted in a remarkably swift, thorough and collaborative fashion, and we have been honored to assist,” says Sayres. “It gives us some comfort that the animals who suffered did not do so in vain.”

Due to the sensitive nature of the ongoing criminal process, further details cannot be made available at this time. However, to keep abreast of ongoing developments in the Michael Vick case, please visit the ASPCA Anti-Cruelty Resource Center.

Footage of the ASPCA on NBC's Today show

Click here to watch!

Watch ASPCA President Ed Sayres and our very own Forensics Veterinarian Dr. Melinda Merck unveil the news that made history today!

Forensics First

Good news! We’re ready to tell you what we were so hush-hush about yesterday. On NBC’s “Today” show this morning we unveiled to the nation the first-ever “Mobile Animal Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) Unit.”

In other words, the ASPCA now has its own CSI truck! This is a specially designed vehicle outfitted with state-of-the-art forensics tools as well as medical equipment tailored to animal patients and the victims of crimes. This is a big step for man, and an even bigger step for animal-kind!

The truck will operate under the leadership of the nation’s premier forensic veterinarian, the ASPCA’s Dr. Melinda Merck, who, as you may know, is the nation’s only “animal CSI,” and who most recently assisted Federal authorities in the Michael Vick investigation. The mobile unit, which will be available to assist at crime scenes nationally, will allow Dr. Merck to examine and care for animals found at suspected crime scenes, and includes a surgical suite for animals in need of urgent care.
Talk about taking the prosecution of animal cruelty into the new millennium!

**Click here to take the pledge to fight animal cruelty.

Shhh! We’ve Got a Secret!

Wanna know what it is? Well, you’ll just have to tune in to the Today Show on NBC tomorrow, December 11, when we’ll be revealing a groundbreaking initiative that will take the fight against animal cruelty to the next level. Please watch and support us tomorrow as we announce this major first for the ASPCA—and for animals everywhere.

Our segment will air at approximately 8:30 AM, but to be safe, it’s best to start watching a bit earlier!

Remember--‘Tis Better to Give!

Want your gift to be the hit of the holidays? You can further the ASPCA’s lifesaving work by providing a gift membership to a loved one. An ASPCA gift membership makes a real difference in the fight to end animal cruelty and find permanent, loving homes for America’s adoptable pets.
All ASPCA gift memberships of $25 or more include a membership card, an ASPCA calendar, a free subscription to ASPCA Action and an ASPCA wristband. Don’t forget—a gift membership of $50 or more also includes a cuddly Harley dog!

Psst, if you need extra motivation…we bet it’ll make your mom cry.

Check out our website for more details.

Vick Codefendants--Sentenced

The ASPCA applauds the strong sentences received on Friday, November 30, by two codefendants of NFL quarterback Michael Vick in the federal investigation against them. Purnell Peace and Quanis Phillips—who pleaded guilty earlier this year to charges, including conspiring to travel in interstate commerce in aid of unlawful activities and to sponsoring a dog in an animal fighting venture—received sentences of 18 and 21 months respectively, which fall on the higher end of the federal sentencing guidelines. The two men will also be on probation for an additional three years, during which time they cannot have any contact with dogs.

“Judge Henry Hudson’s sentencing is extremely significant in the history of the prosecution of animal cruelty,” said Ed Sayres, ASPCA President & CEO. “His decision clearly reflects the outrage felt over the cruelty inflicted upon these animals. We are deeply grateful that justice is being served.”

Vick, who voluntarily surrendered himself on November 19 to begin serving his prison term early, will face sentencing next Monday, December 10, in Richmond, VA.

The ASPCA has been assisting federal authorities in this case from the beginning of the investigation—most recently, having led a team of animal behavior experts in evaluating the dogs seized from Vick’s Virginia property. “We are incredibly proud to have played such an instrumental role in this landmark case which, I believe, will change the way America regards the cruel treatment of animals,” comments Sayres.

Due to the sensitive nature of the ongoing criminal process, further details cannot be made available at this time. To keep abreast of ongoing developments in the Michael Vick case, please visit the ASPCA Anti-Cruelty Resource Center.

Won't You Adopt a Winning Dog?

In honor of this October’s Adopt-a-Shelter-Dog month, we asked staffers all over the country to submit photos of special pooches who’ve been waiting way too long for their forever families. Our contest judge, amazing photographer Traer Scott, did a fantastic job of choosing the following adorable, silly, wiggly, alert, loyal, people-pleasing (not to mention photogenic!) dogs sniffing around for the place they’ll call home.

And here they are, pooches of the hour:

Please visit the contest website to see larger images of the dogs and learn more about them! And check out yesterday's blog entry to see winners in the public photo submission contest!

Dog Photo Contest Winners!

In honor of Adopt-a-Shelter Dog Month, this October we asked you to catch your pet in the act of being himself—you know, when he has space, time and perhaps permission to set his own agenda for a bit. Like during the day when no one’s home, or out in the backyard when he thinks no one’s looking… We were overwhelmed with the number of high-quality entries this year, and are proud to show off the winners.

Congratulations and four paws up to our top dogs—and thanks to all who participated. A huge round of applause goes out to contest judge and amazing photographer Traer Scott, who had the tough task of selecting the best of the best.

Please visit the contest site to view larger images and learn all about these wonderful dogs.

The Greatest Role of All

Last Monday, Emmy Award-winning actress Kristen Johnston adopted Pinky, a seven-year-old pit bull mix from the ASPCA adoption center.

The friendly, feisty pooch caught the eye of Johnston, who spotted her at a recent ASPCA mobile adoption event in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn. Pinky, formerly called Cookie by our staff, has been at the ASPCA since she was rescued by Special Agent Adam Gankiewicz of the ASPCA’s Humane Law Enforcement department last summer. She underwent surgery to repair her broken hip at the ASPCA’s Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital.

A star of the stage and screen, Johnston received her Emmy Award for her role as Sally on 3rd Rock from the Sun, and shone as hysterical man-hating Beatrice in Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing at the Delacorte Theatre in Central Park. You also know her as Lexi Featherstone from Sex and the City and Drew Barrymore's older sister, Rhonda, in the romantic-comedy Music & Lyrics (she stole the show in that one!).

But we think her finest role is that of dog lover—she is an avid supporter of animal rescue, having rescued several lovable, homeless pups in the past. We wish her and Pinky years of happiness!

Good News for Majority of Seized Vick Dogs

A team of certified applied animal behaviorists, led by the ASPCA, evaluated the 49 pit bulls seized in the Michael Vick case and determined that 48 had the potential to be rehabilitated. Yesterday, the U.S. Attorney’s Office filed a motion that reflected the evaluation team’s report. Only one of the 49 dogs was deemed unfit for rehabilitation and recommended for euthanasia, which was ordered by Judge Henry E. Hudson.

So what will happen to those 48 dogs? Recommended placement options include
possible re-homing into appropriate foster homes for further observation/evaluation, rehabilitation as law enforcement dogs or placement in sanctuaries (which will need to meet U.S.D.A. facility standards). A federal judge will determine where the dogs end up.

Click here to read the full press release and learn more about the team involved in these evaluations.

Bravo! Recalled Three Products

Bravo! has voluntarily recalled three products due to potential contamination:

Product: Bravo Original Formula Chicken Blend frozen raw food
Reason for recall: Salmonella, Listeria

Product: Bravo Original Formula Turkey Blend frozen raw food
Reason for recall: Listeria

Product: Bravo Basic Formula Finely Ground Chicken frozen raw food
Reason for recall: Salmonella, Listeria

Bravo!’s website reports:

The recalled products should not be sold or fed to pets. Pet owners should return unopened frozen tubes of food to the store where purchased for a full refund. Pet owners should dispose of opened tubes of product in a safe manner example, a securely covered trash receptacle) and return the washed plastic batch ID tag to the store where purchased for a full refund.

There have been no known illnesses reported in relation to these products. For more info, visit Bravo!’s FAQ list.

Pit Bull Evaluation

With overwhelming public concern in the fate of the dogs seized from Michael Vick’s Surry County, Va., property, we want you to have information on the upcoming evaluations of the dogs, as well as the nature of assistance we are providing to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Dr. Stephen Zawistowski, CAAB, executive vice president, National Programs, and science advisor for the ASPCA, will be leading a team of several other certified applied animal behaviorists (trained animal behavior experts who have been certified by the Animal Behavior Society) in conducting behavior evaluations of the pit bulls seized during the course of the investigation.

As part of this process, BAD RAP (Bay Area Doglovers Responsible About Pit Bulls), a San Francisco-based non profit organization that is an educational resource for pit bull owners and the shelters that house them, will be working with the ASPCA-led team to help identify dogs whocan be absorbed into experienced foster programs for further observation and possible re-homing into appropriate homes—one of several possible outcomes for these dogs.

“We greatly appreciate the trust placed in us by the USDA to ensure that these dogs are given every opportunity to have a second chance, and take this phase of the investigation very seriously,” said Ed Sayres, ASPCA president and CEO. “Fighting dogs obviously face a lot of challenges when considered for rehabilitation or placement but we will make sure they get the professional, thorough and detailed evaluations that they deserve.”

Said Donna Reynolds, BAD RAP executive director, “We’ve seen time and time again that by pooling resources, we can get more accomplished for animals. We’re honored to be a part of the ASPCA’s team effort and look forward to giving our best to the dogs. After all they’ve been through, they certainly deserve a fair trial.”

The ASPCA-led evaluation team will conduct several tests on these dogs, including their response to humans and other dogs, as well as their general reactivity and comfort with being handled. No further details on the specifics of these tests can be released at this time.

Once the evaluations are completed, the ASPCA will provide a final report to the USDA, which will contain the team’s collective recommendations to the USDA on the disposition of the dogs. Other than possible re-homing into appropriate foster homes, recommendation options may include rehabilitation as law enforcement dogs, placement in sanctuaries (which will need to meet USDA facility standards), or euthanasia. However, euthanasia is not the only recommendation or option that will be considered, as has been reported in some media accounts—the results of the evaluations will determine what those recommendations are. No dogs will be placed in private homes at this time. All placements will be made with, and through, experienced rescue, foster and sanctuary groups.

The USDA will review the report, and then pass on its recommendations to a federal court. However, much like the sentencing of a defendant, the final disposition of the dogs will be decided by a federal judge. At no time will the ASPCA take possession of the dogs; they will remain property of the federal government until their disposition has been determined by the government.

For more information on the ASPCA, or to learn more about staying alert to animal cruelty, please visit www.aspca.org/cruelty.

UPDATE: August 29 - The New York Times reports on our role in the investigation.

Letter From our President, Ed Sayres

Update: 10/23/07
The letter is closed. Thank you for your involvement.

We've created a thank you letter that's super simple for you to send--thank NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Office of the Inspector General, USDA, for strong and decisive action against Michael Vick.

Click here to send your thank you letter.

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Read on to see what our President, Ed Sayres, has to say:

Dear ASPCA Members and Supporters:

With Michael Vick today appearing in federal court to file his plea in the federal dog fighting case that has been pending since July, I wanted to let you know directly that today we revealed our role in the federal investigation: ASPCA Forensic Veterinarian, Dr. Melinda Merck, participated in the excavation of the graves, and examination of the remains.

It has been an honor for the ASPCA to assist federal authorities in this case. We are also extremely proud to be working with the National Football League to raise public awareness of the humane treatment of animals. The NFL took strong, swift and decisive action against Michael Vick on Friday by suspending him indefinitely without pay.

Please join the ASPCA in sending a message of support to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, as well as the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Office of the Inspector General, USDA, letting them know that their efforts are not going unnoticed.

We continue to assist this case by leading a team of animal behavior experts in evaluating the dogs seized from Vick’s property earlier this year. Please visit www.aspca.org/cruelty often for updates.

Thank you very much for your support of the ASPCA—it is that which enables us to pursue our 141-year old mission, which is as crucial today as when we were founded all those years ago—to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals. Every day, we come one step closer to being a humane community. We could not do it without you.

Sincerely,

Ed Sayres
ASPCA, President

ASPCA Applauds Strong and Swift NFL Response to Michael Vick’s Guilty Plea

ASPCA Press Release

NEW YORK—The ASPCA^® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals^®) today applauded NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell’s strong and decisive action in suspending Michael Vick without pay, effective immediately, from the League. Vick will be appearing in a federal court in Richmond, Va., on Monday to file his plea agreement in the federal dog fighting case against him.

Said ASPCA President & CEO Ed Sayres, “Right from the outset, we knew the Commissioner was taking this case extremely seriously—and respected the fact that he was proceeding appropriately by commissioning an independent investigation into the case.”

In a strongly worded letter to Vick, the Commissioner today called his admitted conduct “not only illegal, but also cruel and reprehensible.”

“The Commissioner’s extremely strong and swift response today to Michael Vick’s guilty plea is no less than what we expected, and reinforces how seriously he takes not just the integrity of the League, but his expectations of how animals should be treated in a humane society. The ASPCA is proud to be associated with the National Football League as its animal welfare partner, and we will continue to raise public awareness on the humane treatment of animals together.”

For more information on the ASPCA, or to learn more about staying alert to animal cruelty, please visit www.aspca.org/cruelty.

Pet Food Update: New Products Voluntarily Recalled!

Mars Petcare US Inc. has voluntarily recalled five pound bags of its Krasdale Gravy Dry Dog Food because of potential salmonella contamination. In addition, Wal-Mart has officially and voluntarily pulled Chicken Jerky Strips (from Import-Pingyang Pet Product Co.) and Chicken Jerky (from Shanghai Bestro Trading) from its shelves this week after tests found traces of melamine in both products.

The ASPCA recommends that pet parents discontinue the use of all affected products immediately until further information has been received.

Pet parents may remember that melamine was found to be the cause of a massive recall of pet food brands earlier this year. Though not highly toxic in general, melamine is used to make durable plastic household products; cleaning products; hard, stain-resistant laminates; flame-retardant foam and in soundproofing.

“Melamine at high doses causes a pronounced diuretic affect in dogs and rats, as well as the development of crystals in their urine,” says Dr. Steven Hansen, Senior Vice President of the ASPCA’s Midwest Office, which houses the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, and a Diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Toxicologists. “And while most healthy adult dogs and cats are less susceptible to salmonella infection than humans,” continues Dr. Hansen, “It is still not out of the question, so we recommend discarding these products if you have them in your pantries.”

If you notice any signs or symptoms in your pets, please consult with your veterinarian immediately. In an emergency situation, pet parents may also call the APCC at (888) 426-4435 (a fee will apply). For further information on the recall of Krasdale Gravy Dry Dog Food, please visit the FDA’s website. The ASPCA continues to provide updated information and resources to pet parents at our Pet Food Resource Recall Center.

ASPCA Responds to Vick Plea

Responding to breaking news that NFL quarterback Michael Vick has accepted a plea agreement in his federal dog fighting case, the ASPCA today applauded the thorough and speedy federal investigation into this case by the U. S. Attorney’s office and the USDA.

“Though dog fighting has been prevalent in this country for more than a century, it was only towards the end of the 20^th century that it started to be regarded as a crime in the eyes of the law,” said ASPCA President & CEO Ed Sayres, “which makes the strong federal investigation of this case all the more remarkable.

“As an organization that supports law enforcement efforts against animal cruelty in several ways—from having our own Humane Law Enforcement department in New York, to contributing to the education and training of law enforcement and judicial officers around the country in prosecuting animal cruelty—we salute the U. S. Attorney’s office and the USDA in their dedication to pursuing this case. It sends a clear message to those engaged in animal cruelty—that these acts are barbaric and unacceptable in a humane community.”

A little more than one month after Michael Vick and three other co-defendants pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to travel in interstate commerce in aid of unlawful activities (“Travel Act”), and to sponsor a dog in an animal fighting venture, in violation of federal law, they have all reversed their pleas, with Vick being the last to follow suit—a stunning reversal of events.

The ASPCA has been assisting in the federal investigation of this case; at this time it still cannot offer any additional details in order to protect the integrity of this investigation and the ongoing criminal process.

For more information on the ASPCA, or to learn more about staying alert to animal cruelty, please visit www.aspca.org/cruelty.

ASPCA IN THE NEWS: WHY DOES THE MICHAEL VICK CASE HURT HIP-HOP?

MTV News
Genre's glamorization of dogfights and pit bulls has led critics to associate it with blood sport.

The Michael Vick dogfighting case has created many victims. First, you have the alleged victims: the dogs. There are also the Atlanta Falcons, who are out a quarterback. And there's hip-hop. Yes, hip-hop.

Vick's indictment on federal charges related to a dogfighting ring allegedly run on his Virginia property has brought the brutal blood sport into the public consciousness — and hip-hop is one of the only outlets in America where you'll find references to it. Dogfighting's presence in videos and lyrics led to critical newspaper editorials and columns, along with on-air berating from Fox News personality Bill O'Reilly.

Read the rest of the article and watch a video featuring the ASPCA.

ASPCA LAUNCHES THIRD MOBILE SPAY/NEUTER CLINIC

Today, we added a third mobile spay/neuter clinic to our fleet during a special ceremony at the ASPCA headquarters in Manhattan. The new 685-square-foot mobile spay/neuter van was generously donated by the Stephen M. Sander Foundation and will increase the ASPCA's ability to help control New York City's pet overpopulation, as well as provide medical assistance for countless New York City residents.

The new mobile spay/neuter clinic is one more example of how the ASPCA is helping New York City in its goal of becoming a humane community. In 2003, the ASPCA helped fund the Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals, a coalition of more than 120 animal shelters and rescue groups, and in 2006, the city of New York, for the first time in its history, placed more than 50 percent of animals in city shelters into new homes.

With the new mobile clinic, the ASPCA hopes to spay/neuter more than 18,000 cats and dogs annually. The truck features amenities for veterinarians, vet techs and clients.

"The ASPCA is the single largest organization providing free and low cost spay/neuter to needy pet owners in New York City's five boroughs," said ASPCA President Ed Sayres. "We're also growing one of the largest mobile spay/neuter program in the country, and are proud to play an active role in taking New York City towards its goal of becoming a humane community."

For 10 years, the ASPCA's Mobile Clinic Outreach Program has offered free and low-cost spay/neuter surgery to New York City pet owners in need via two fully equipped mobile veterinary clinics. The mission of the outreach program is to put an end to the tragic euthanasia of healthy animals in New York City by addressing the animal overpopulation crisis at its source--in the heart of the city's local communities. Recognizing that many of the most serious overpopulation and animal health crises arise in neighborhoods with limited access to veterinary care and education on animal issues, the program brings these services directly to those communities. In 2006, the ASPCA's mobile clinics provided over 12,000 free and low-cost spay/neuter surgeries to cats and dogs.

More Photos from Coffeyville and Iola Flooding

Last week we wrote about the ASPCA’s animal rescue efforts during the flooding in the Midwest. The ASPCA was among the first to respond to help provide rescue and relief efforts to animals stranded or left behind. The following are some heartwarming photos of rescued animals whose homes were destroyed by the flooding. Many of them were abandoned by their families.

Safely tucked away, he watches the rescue action.




If you are forced to evacuate, please take your pets with you. But when you can't, the best alternative is to alert rescuers to live animals still in the home, as this household did. You can order a free Pet Safety Pack, which includes window decals, here.



Wet, but safe.




Cat in flooded home waits to be rescued. Happily, she was!


Sad eyes observe the flooding from a secure spot.

To find out how to be ready if a disaster comes to your area, please check the ASPCA's main website. And, don't forget to join us next Friday in our live, moderated discussion on disaster readiness with Sandy Monterose.

ASPCA Honors Beloved Children's Author

The ASPCA presented the Roger Caras Achievement Award to Jean Craighead George on June 25, at the American Library Association Conference in Washington, D.C., as part of the annual Henry Bergh Children’s Book Awards. This prestigious award, established in 2005, honors an outstanding individual or organization that has inspired children and has made a contribution to the animal community through literature, actions and other media.

Jean Craighead George is the beloved author of over 100 books, and is best known for her children’s classics, including Julie of the Wolves and My Side of the Mountain. George eloquently says on her website, “I write for children. Children are still in love with the wonders of nature, and I am too. So I tell them stories about a boy and a falcon, a girl and an elegant wolf pack, about owls, weasels, foxes, prairie dogs, the alpine tundra, the tropical rain forest. And when the telling is done, I hope they will want to protect all the beautiful creatures and places.”



Roger Caras Achievement Award winner Jean Craighead George (left) with Jill Caras (wife of Roger Caras) and the ASPCA’s Dr. Stephen Zawistowski.

Visit our online bookstore to view and purchase current and past Henry Bergh Children’s Book Award winners.

ASPCA Assists Animal Rescue Efforts During Flooding in Midwest

The ASPCA was among the first to respond to help provide rescue and relief efforts to animals stranded or left behind in homes after major flooding this week in the Midwest.

The ASPCA was deployed on Monday to Coffeyville, Kansas, at the request of Code 3 Associates, Inc., a disaster response agency, and is also working in conjunction with local animal control authorities and under the auspices of the Montgomery County, Kansas, Emergency Operations Center.

On Tuesday, ASPCA personnel helped retrieve pets that were left behind in evacuated homes, including 30 dogs and cats, birds, iguanas, several tanks of fish—even a toad. Water rescue and pet evacuation continued on July 4, with another 30 animals retrieved, many by boat, at the request of displaced owners.

Rescue efforts were complicated by a 42,000-gallon crude oil slick in the Verdigris River at Coffeyville after a nearby refinery was struck by flash flooding.

Approximately 750 residents from 200 homes were evacuated in the area being served by the ASPCA.

Tiffany Mahaffey, Disaster Preparedness Manager for the ASPCA, reported that rescue teams also set traps in areas where many dogs and cats were at large.

Other animal welfare agencies assisting in the disaster include American Humane Association and the Humane Society of the United States.

The ASPCA is a member of the National Animal Rescue and Sheltering Coalition (NARSC), which is comprised of nine national animal welfare organizations, which include the AHA (American Humane Association), ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), Best Friends Animal Society, Code 3, Humane Society of the United States, International Fund for Animal Welfare, National Animal Control Association, Society of Animal Welfare Agencies and United Animal Nations.

As waters recede, animal rescue efforts in the area expect to demobilize by the week's end.



Tiffany Mahaffey, the ASPCA's Disaster Preparedness Manager, cuddles a sweet black kitty who is happy to be alive. This kitten was washed ashore from the floodwaters of Coffeyville. Rescued by two little boys and an ASPCA team, he was dehydrated and on the brink of death. His rescuers gave him fluids and nursed him back to health--they expect him to be just fine!